Last Night with the Duke by Amelia Grey

I found another new author to add to my growing list of ‘to read’ authors. Amelia Grey’s book Last Night with the Duke introduced me to her and her trilogy about the Rakes of St James. The book was enjoyable, written with the regency style that I love. The Rakes of St James are three young dukes who in their youth played a trick on a number of hapless young ladies making their debut which caused a huge scandal. Due to the trick, the Duke of Griffin has an interesting dilemma. His twin sisters are making their coming out and the Duke has heard that some young men might use his sisters to punish him. The Duke knows he needs a chaperone for his sisters, as his elderly aunt is not able to. He ends up with Esmeralda Swift, a practical women who won’t fall for the duke and will guard his sisters.

The premise of the book was a bit of a stretch, but remembering the stringent rules of the upper class women helps cover that. I enjoyed the characters. The twin sisters made me laugh with their shenanigans. The scene where the dog finds the cat is hysterical. Last Night with the Duke by Amelia Grey is a good read!!

This was a really fun book. Esmeralda and Griffin were so entertaining and throw in an incorrigible young girl and her dog, and a pair of identical twin girls who are making their debut and it just made this book so fun to read. Esmeralda and Griffin's chemistry was straight off right from the start, sexual tension is always fun especially when it's so distracting for the main characters.

Griffin and two of his friends did something stupid in their youth and now they will never live it down. So much to the point that now that his two younger sister are making their debut there is a rumor going round that someone thinks it would be poetic justice if someone were to do something to his sisters. Griffin is now worried and trying to narrow down the possibilities of who maybe behind the possible misdeed. It doesn't help that the girls' aunt has fallen ill and now Griffin must find a suitable chaperone. Esmeralda run an agency that matches suitable chaperones, governesses, nurses, and such to the right family she took over the job when the previous owner dies and it suited her needs perfectly because that means she could look after her sister. Esmeralda is the Granddaughter of a Viscount but when her mother fell in love with an Irish poet her brother disowned her. Now with both parents dead and a little sister to take care of she has to work and the tempting and expensive offer Lord Griffin has offered her is far too much money for her to turn away. He even meet all her demands to work as his sisters chaperone.

It was lust at first sight, but the more time they spend with each other and Griffin's amazing patience with her sister has her fall in love when she know she shouldn't. Griffin should be focused on finding the rake who plans to seduce and ruin at least one of his sisters but he keeps getting distracted by Esmeralda and even before he realizes who she is related to he knows that she should be cared for and loved and shouldn't have to work, he knows almost immediately that he is going to marry her.

Overall, I love how this story played out. The main focus is Griffin and Esmeralda even with the little side notes about the sisters it never really goes into great detail about what is happening with them. I enjoyed reading this so much that I stayed up late reading it until I finished, I couldn't put it down.

I am a fan and have enjoyed many a book by Ms. Grey. An indiscretion from his youth still haunts the Duke of Griffin especially when he's ready to launch his twin sisters. Happenstance brings him to Ms. Swift's agency in search of a competent chaperon who can successfully navigate the currents of modern day society and guide his sisters to successful marriages.  Is it just me or does the plot seem familiar?  The Duke is enthralled with Esmeralda as he watches her counsel one of her employee's on the best way to handle her charge.  Besides the fact that he finds her outrageously attractive, he's convinced that she's the one who can help his sisters successfully navigate their first season.  Esmeralda runs the agency not work the contracts that come their way but is unable to resist in the face of the Duke throwing money and other blandishments her way.  Soon, she and her young sister and their puppy are ensconced in the ducal household ready to begin the adventure of the London season.
The Duke is no saint though he resists the temptation that Esmeralda offers by maintaining his own separate household apart from his sisters.  His youthful follies have come home to roost and apparently there is a wager that someone is out to take their revenge through one or both of his sisters.  He is joined in his vigil of his sisters and search for villains by his childhood friends and co-conspirators in youthful follies who are both fellow dukes themselves.
There are some sweet and soft moments when Griffin shows his soft side for his sisters and for Esmeralda's young sister when her puppy gets into mischief.  There is a fun picnic in the park when Griffin carries all the accoutrements just so he can get a few sweet moments with Esmeralda even though he knows it's wrong of him to want his sister's chaperon.
All in all this is a slow moving story that did not rock my boat at all. The mystery that the author alluded to in the beginning of the book with someone gunning for the three friends, dubbed the rakes of St. James never really materializes. Perhaps there will be more to that in the next book in the series.

amelia grey's latest regency romance series kicks off with a delightful romance between miss esmeralda swift and lord benedict mercer, duke of griffin. the duke finds himself in need of a companion for his twin sisters who are making their debut onto the london social scene when his aunt falls ill and is unable to complete the task. when he meets esmeralda he knows that she's absolutely the right woman to handle his sisters and even though she runs a whole agency he won't take no for an answer. so he makes her an offer impossible to refuse. even allowing her to bring her younger sister who she cares for and their dog.

one might wonder at his determination, but though he is charmed by esmeralda he has no intention of seducing her. he already has a reputation to guard, given that he was somewhat reckless in his youth, and that reputation may be endangering his sisters' ability to navigate the london marriage mart safely. the problem is that there is no specific threat, just the possibility that someone might act dishonorably toward his sisters, and griffin won't have that.

he also won't have his sisters' companion bedecking herself in drab grays and browns all the time. though why he should interfere in her wardrobe, esmeralda would like to know. and this is how it is between them. there's a constant spark, they are at cross-purposes all of the time, and yet, they can't stay away from one another.

there is of course a huge misunderstanding. griffin is a jerk and esmeralda doesn't stick up for herself. but they figure it out in the end. they have to, because with all the bickering and back and forth they share, there isn't anyone else who could stand to be around them. esmeralda is smart and feisty and does stand up for herself most of the time. and griffin is domineering and entitled, but he genuinely loves his aunt and sisters, and he loves esmeralda and her young sister, josephine.

griffin's two friends round out the rakes of st. james, so i expect we'll be seeing them in future novels. and maybe one of griffin's sisters will be in play? you never know, only one has settled her future by the end of last night with the duke.

I loved this story!! We have Esmeralda who, though nobly born, has to make her own way in the world. Griffin must find a chaperone for his sisters debut and has luckily stumbled upon Esmeralda's place of work. He believes that she would be the perfect person to fill the position. Unfortunately for him, she thinks the opposite.

Griffin eventually talks Esmeralda into talking the job after giving into every single one of her conditions of employment. That acceptance leads us on a merry chase riding along with Griffin's twin sisters and aunt, Esmeralda's sister and her dog as well as the other two Rakes of St. James.

Grey's books always enchant me with the witty dialogue and amazing secondary characters and this was no exception. I can't wait to read the rest of the Rakes of St. James series! To the Duke, with Love, will be out in Dec. 2017.

Honest review in return for an ARC. What a thoroughly delightful read. Although, the mystery wasn't revealed. Since this is one of a series, presumably it will be in later books. Definitely worth your time and money!

Requiring a quick replacement chaperone for his twin sisters, The Duke of Griffin, happens upon Miss Esmeralda Swift and immediately knows he has found the one for the job. She took a lot of convincing but Griffin would not back down. Esmeralda moves in with sister and dog in tow and now the only problem is the chaperone and The Duke fighting off their attraction to each other.

This was a good start to The Rakes of St. James series. I liked that Griffin fell for a woman with a strong personality and that he brought out the fun in her. I was heartbroken when she realized how she had never received comfort in the form of hugs and kisses. Griffin was ready to change that!

The comical elements were good but some things fell flat. Other than the reason to need a replacement chaperone, the Aunt's storyline never went anywhere. The issue of the threat to the girls was anticlimactic unless it is being saved for another book in the series.

Overall I enjoyed it and look forward to more.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher for an honest review. For me, this title was about 3 1/2 stars. Last Night with the Duke is the first in a new trilogy, The Rakes of St. James featuring three dukes who are good friends. The Duke of Griffin, Benedict, and two friends had a bet when they were younger to see who could get the most young ladies to meet a secret admirer. News of their bet got out and many in society were outraged. Several years later, Benedict's twin sisters are set to make their debut amid rumours that someone is out to get back at their brother for the bet through his sisters. Worried about their season and without a chaperone due to his aunt's illness, Benedict inquires at Miss Fortescue's Employment Agency to find a lady capable of shepherding his sisters through their season. Intrigued by Miss Esmeralda Swift who runs the agency, he keeps offering her the position until he finds terms she can't refuse. Esmeralda is raising her orphaned 12 year old sister Josephine after the recent death of her step-father. The granddaughter of a viscount, Esmeralda's mother was disowned when she left home to marry her second husband, an Irish poet against her family's wishes. This action changed Esmeralda's future that had included a Season of her own. Allowed to bring her sister and the family dog with her, Esmeralda takes up her position and finds herself increasingly drawn to Benedict. Esmeralda is a strong female who puts her sister's well-being above all and I really enjoyed her as a heroine; my one criticism is her insistence in believing that all aristocrats are like her mother's family. Benedict is a caring older brother and I loved his interactions with Josphine; I was a little frustrated by his actions toward the end of the book as I felt it was out of character, but overall I liked him. Readers who enjoy a slow build up to physical intimacy will enjoy this title; there is sexual tension between the two leads throughout the book, but they don't jump into bed without getting to know each other. Overall, I enjoyed Last Night with the Duke and look forward to the next Rake of St. James title.

I was excited to read another book by Ms. Amelia Grey. She is a talented author who can weave an exciting and enjoyable story although this one was slow to get going. Esmeralda Swift has been dealt a harsh hand. No longer is she the pampered young girl, but a young woman who is determined to make a life for her and her younger sister Josephine. A chance meeting with the Duke of Griffin and Esmeralda's life changes. He's hired her to chaperone his twin sisters as they make their debut in Society.

I loved the witty banter back and forth between Esmeralda and Griffin. She gave him no quarter and spoke her mind, sometimes without thinking. Little did she know, that trait was exactly what drew him to her. Ms Grey masterfully teases out the details of the incident that labeled Griffin as one of the Rakes of St. James and the scandal that has followed him for years. However, when Griffin finds out about a secret Esmeralda has been keeping from her, her circumstances change again and not for the better. Back and forth these two verbally battle, all the while trying to resist the rising passion and temptation for each other. I especially loved young Josephine and her dog Napoleon. That was such a sweet addition to the story. I was either laughing at her antics or shedding a tear at a little girl trying to act so grown up.

All in all, this book will definitely appeal to fans of Regency Romance.

I found this book on netgalley and received a free copy in exchange for an honest review. The author, Amelia Grey, was new to me, but I like that this is the first book in a series and was excited to give it a whirl.

That being said, for me, this book did not live up to its full potential. It is a rather obvious Cinderella retelling, but the most interesting part, to me, was the heroine's work life. I wanted to hear more about the employment agency and would have been just as happy if Esmeralda had fallen in love with a merchant down the street. Though, to be fair, that would have been far more realistic and far less Cinderella retelling. Anyway, I love the idea of Esmeralda - a single female, providing a safe home for her younger sister, while generating an income and managing the employment agency. She sounds very modern and accomplished. Her keen intellect and sharp tongue serve her well. I was disappointed that we never get any resolution about her jerk of a boss, her posh/jerk family connections, or what happens to the agency when she gets her HEA.

As for the hero, Griffin, ugh. He's the worst sort of spoiled Duke with a raging case of lust-at-first-sight. My biggest complaints about him include how he kept correcting or rephrasing everything Esmeralda said about him and about how he made a big deal about her calling him Griffin...Uh, if we're talking about intimacy and relationship building, wouldn't he have an actual first name, rather than his title? Yes, his title is better than "Your Grace," but you'd think he'd want her to call out his actual name in the heat of the moment, if you catch my drift. Not that you have to worry about that, since there are only a few heated kisses and one rushed (tacked on as an afterthought?) bedroom scene.

On the up side, the book is very short. On the down side, the secondary characters are not fully developed into their own beings (except for Josophine, maybe) and we are left with several questions about the plot. In general, I hope some of these issues will be cleaned up before the final publication version. But, if not, maybe they will be answered in the rest of the series. I certainly am curious what will happen next!

It looks like Amelia Grey has the start to another great series! Esmeralda Swift is barely making ends meet when she gets an offer of employment from the Duke of Griffin that is impossible to refuse. Little does she know the whole story behind the need for her employment and perhaps Miss Esmeralda is keeping a secret of her own from the handsome, devilish Duke. A very enjoyable Regency romance read.

Last Night with the Duke by Amelia Grey
The Rakes of Saint James #1

Three young men made a wager…
A scandalous wager – at least society said it was.
Three young dukes gained the dubious “honor” of being named…
…The Rakes of Saint James.

Years later Benedict Mercer, Duke of Griffin and one of the dubbed rakes has twin sisters to launch into society. With rumors regarding their safety being whispered around and the chaperone unable to fulfill the job he is in need of a strong willed woman to take over. In Esmerelda Swift he finds the woman he believes is best – not only to play chaperone – but perhaps for more. After some bargaining an agreement is made and Esmerelda moves in to fulfill her duties.

There are dances, soirees and walks and
There are men who come calling and show interest in the twins and
There are a few surprises, revelations and kisses.

All in all this was a typical regency romance. The descriptions of clothing and rooms and such are luscious. The interactions are for the most part benign (with one steamy more explicit encounter). The story is a bit slow, predictable and bland. There is the token misunderstanding that needs to be fixed. Griffin and Esmerelda are both strong characters that make a good couple – they seem to fit together and I felt they deserved their HEA.

Although the scandal did not seem all that scandalous to me I found the book entertaining and the introduction to the two other “rakes” made me feel I would like to read their stories, too. I have a feeling that perhaps they are a bit more scandalous than Griffin proved to be in this story but…only time will tell.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. This is my honest review.

3 Stars

I loved this book! It's the start of a new series, the hero is a bit alpha but gets put in his place by an even sassier heroine. The tension is palpable and I found myself having chills after reading passages where they didn't even touch. Yes, Griffin and Esmeralda are the perfect couple and I couldn't put the book down. Highly recommend and cannot wait for the next in the series!! This is one I'd recommend to any friend looking to read historical romance.

While I love historical romances, this was just ok for me. I think it's just the way I prefer my books, but I felt there were too many open questions and the part with Napoleon broke my heart. While the ending was happy, I had wished it was happier. I also wished Esmerelda's cousin had made an appearance and at least acknowledged her rightful place in society.

3 Stars

This one was ok. Some aspects of the story and the way the charters behaved were just wrong for a historical novel. It kind of threw me off some times. The pacing of the story was odd too. The first 40% of the book takes place within the first day of H and h meeting each other. I felt the secondary plot was weak and uninteresting. Obviously the whole point was for the H and h to get the two characters together and I enjoyed their relationship and their interactions, I just felt the story itself was weird.

This was a delightful novel. Always enjoy Amelia Grey stories and this was great. It wasn't as painful as many regency romance novels can be, the H was straightforward and interesting, the h was honest and kind. There wasn't a horrible mystery, and only one misconception, which was quickly clarified, instead of waiting weeks or months. This is the beginning of a series, which I look forward to reading. Sweet, passionate romance.

'Last Night with the Duke' by Amelia Grey is book One in the "The Rakes of St. James"series. This is the story of Griffin and Esmerelda. Griffin is getting ready to present his twin sisters to the town. But fears that without proper supervision for his sisters and that his wild past might hurt their them he thinks to get a competent chaperone. When he overhears Esmerelda talking to one of her employees he knows that she would be strong enough to handle his sisters and his past behavior. But what they don't count on is their attraction to each other which is pretty instant. Esmerelda does try to talk him out of her being the one for his sister but he is not having any of that. Esmerelda is the granddaughter of a Viscount but her grandfather disowned her mother when she up and married what he thought was beneath her. So Esmerelda has settled into her life as a worker, servant, and businesswomen. Their story did play out somewhat slow but for me I loved watching it happen. Ms. Grey is one of the authors I go to when I want a good Historical Romance and this did not disappoint. "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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This story deeply touched me as two thoughtful people discovered much about themselves and love. The characters were believable and relatable to me without for one moment sacrificing the historical integrity (except the three eligible Dukes part). I appreciated the families of Griffin and Esmeralda, especially Josephine. I look forward to reading how their families fit in to the continuation of The Rakes of St. James trilogy.

Amelia Grey’s “Last Night with the Duke” is very, very good. Griffin is at a loss; his twin sisters are about to launch on their first season and his aunt has come down with a terrible rash (sounds like shingles). His sisters need a chaperone, a guiding hand, he is walking and thinking when he spots an agency that employs governesses and chaperones, he stops in and is instantly enthralled with Esmeralda. He knows he must have her and not just for a chaperone.

Esmeralda is barely holding everything together; she is raising her young sister alone and barely making enough to make ends meet. She refuses Griffin’s offer to be a chaperone to his sisters, he insists, she agrees only if she can bring her sister and their dog. Of course he agrees, he believes she will be a fine chaperone and he is a duke, he always gets his way.

There is quite a bit of chemistry between Griffin and Esmeralda. It did take them quite a bit to get together and express their feelings for each other, they alluded to it and danced around it for a while. This book was great though, there aren’t a lot of passionate scenes, but the buildup is really good.

I would highly recommend this book. There is a bit of a “mystery” going on, the duke and his other duke friends caused a scandal when they were younger and it seems someone is out for a bit of revenge. This wasn’t answered at the end of the book, so I am thinking that plot line will continue.

The Duke of Griffin's reputation as a rake has never really bothered him, until rumours that his twin sisters would probably bear the brunt of it. Now head of the family, he wants nothing to go wrong and so hireing Esmeralda, the granddaughter of a Viscount, as chaperone, he hopes she can alleviate any actions against the twins and help them with their debut, and keep them out of mischief.


I enjoyed this story which was given to me as an advanced readers copy from the publisher through Netgalley.