James Rylon, Duke of Abernathe, was mistreated and despised by his father, who was bitter that his beloved first son and heir died, leaving James to carry on the title. The former duke's scorn also extended to his second wife, James's mother, causing her to seek oblivion in alcohol. With such dysfunctional parents, and only his sister, Meg, to love him, James and his friends at school formed a club of future dukes. The purpose was for them to teach and support each other, and these ten boys soon became as close as brothers. After his father's death, James even arranged a marriage between one of them and his sister.

Emma Liston has had four seasons. Without family connections, a large dowry, or great beauty, there is little chance she'll make a match. She's generally a wallflower, dancing only a dance or two. To her surprise, she's approached by Meg, sister to a duke, who strikes up a friendly conversation. When Meg's mother bursts in, obviously staggeringly drunk, Emma is quick to help Meg remove her on the pretense of her being ill. James has seen what was happening from across the room, and joins them, helping his mother leave before she creates a scene. James knows that Emma could gossip and cause them much grief, so he asks her for a dance, in order to find her intentions. Emma wastes no time in setting the duke straight, telling him she has no intention of spreading tales. James is not used to such forthright speaking, especially from a woman, and he begins to admire the wallflower with the lovely eyes.

Meg is also appreciative of Emma's support, and she begins inviting her to social activities. The two become best friends, almost amazingly instantaneously. This also means that James is now seeing a lot of Emma, who intrigues him with her honest speaking and lack of flattery. As these two become friends, they agree to pretend to have a romantic interest in each other - this will increase Emma's consequence with other gentlemen, and will discourage ladies hoping to snare James. Meg really would like to marry and have a family of her own, while James made a vow to himself never to marry after seeing the example his parents set.

As they get to know each other, Emma begins to fall in love, while James begins to fall in lust. James is too honorable to ruin Emma, but he can't seem to keep his hands off her, and her response to his advances is scorching. James has developed an outward charming facade, leading all to believe he's happy and devil-may-care, yet Emma is perceptive enough to see the hurt he still harbors from when he was a child. This hurt has twisted his thinking about love and marriage, and all he wants for his future is revenge on his father, who is no longer there to care. In spite of this, I love James, and the way he treated Emma as his equal. He sees her beauty and admires her character. Emma is kind and plainly spoken without being obnoxious. I adore that they always spoke the truth to each other.

I found THE DARING DUKE to be a fantastic read. James and Emma are both wonderful characters, who have suffered at the hands of their parents. I love that author Jess Michaels did not follow the easy path for this couple to come together through a well used plot device, but rather forced James to confront his own feelings. This first installment of the 1797 Club series is well written, well paced, emotional, and romantic. I recommend THE DARING DUKE highly, and can hardly wait for the next installment.

Publisher's Description:

The wild and charismatic Duke of Abernathe is the kind of friend anyone would wish to have. He even formed the 1797 Club, consisting of ten men who would all be dukes. But he has full-throatedly declared he will never marry and no one understands why.

But Miss Emma Liston doesn’t care why. A longtime wallflower with an absentee father who is a scandal waiting to happen, she needs to marry. Now. She decides to take a wild chance and ask the help of her friend Meg’s brother James. She asks him to pretend he’s interested in her just long enough to gain the attention of others. He agrees but is quickly taken aback by how easy everything is with Emma.

When her father returns, threatening her with a terrible future, their courtship swiftly becomes all too real. Will James ever reveal the true man beneath the outer shell? And can Emma discover her own worthiness before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:
This is the first of a new series by Jess Michaels and an exciting beginning to the series.
Duke of Abernathe is the first of ten young gentlemen who are or will be dukes upon the death of their fathers. He is also the one who founded the 1797 Club named so for the year it was formed. when all of these young men were school mates. Now they are grown and some of them have already come into their title.
He for one has declared to never marry.
Enter Miss Emma Liston, a young lady whose father routinely causes mayhem and scandal to be brought down on the heads of his family. A problem her mother ignores every time her husband reenters their lives.
Will Emma be able to find and marry the needed spouse before her father ruins everything. Will James marry her in spite of his vow and her father's antics?
I really liked this start to a new series by Ms. Michaels, She continues to entertain me with her very imaginative tales with well drawn out characters and well developed storylines.
I gave this title 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5 flames. This series has a promising beginning and since it should consist of ten books as there are that many young Dukes whose stories will need to be told, I have hopes that the whole series will be a good one.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read and I have voluntarily left this review. The receipt of this complimentary galley in no way affected my opinion.

I read this book in one sitting!!! It was my first book by Jess Michaels and I am looking forward to the rest of the 1797 Club! I love the idea of this group of men banding together to grow, learn, and inherit together. James and Emma's story was a great way to start! At times I felt that it moved quickly buttt when the tension is there why fight it ;) The tension was strong and hot.
I felt that both of their troubled pasts really made them have a deeper understanding of each other- they are both able to empathize and provide support for their parents continuing theatrics. That being said- Emma's parents really were the worst. I can appreciate James' mother's issues based on her past.

I enjoyed The Daring Duke and look forward to rest of this HOT series.

I have a confession. Historical romance just might be my favorite sub-genre of romance. I know, don’t tell my alter-ego who writes Contemporary and is dabbling with Young Adult Fantasy. So, any opportunity to discover a new author (new to me, maybe not new to others), I will jump at the chance. I was elated I had the opportunity to review The Daring Duke by Jess Michaels. To sum up in less than five words? She is the bomb!

The Daring Duke is the first in a ten book series (and you’ll have to suspend reality for a moment) about ten dukes who form a club while still in school. I’m all about suspending reality because this means they’ll be nine more to come. If the subsequent stories are anything like the first, it’ll be a welcomed reading addiction.

James Rylon, heir to the dukedom of Abernathe, is the leader among these ten young teens. At age fourteen, he and his two best friends form the 1797 Club, named after the year of its creation. Future dukes from his year in school, and a few below, make up this ten-member exclusive club.

Fast forward thirteen years later, our James Rylon has been the official Duke of Abernathe for several years. He loathes the season and like many of our historical romance heroes, vows to never marry, especially after growing up in a home where marriage equated the exact opposite of love. Yet, there’s something special about his sister’s new BFF, wallflower and bluestocking Emma Liston.

You see, Emma doesn’t simper to the duke just to say what he wants to hear. Nope. She’s got her own mind, voices her opinions, and doesn’t back down. Don’t get me wrong, she’s not overbearing, she merely understands her tenuous position in society and has a spine.

“Your Grace, we both know this was a pity dance, thrown at me as some kind of reward for my help. And clearly it was also a way to determine if I would use whatever I saw tonight against you. Please don’t pretend it was something more. I understand the way the world works.”

We want to route for her so badly, because her tenuous position is of course, not her fault. Especially after we learn how she’s been treated by family and society.

“But you are not direct, Your Grace. Which makes me wonder what kind of game you are playing. Are you making sport with me?”

His lips parted as all humor and teasing went out of his stare, his voice, his stance. “No,” he said, almost in horror. “No, of course not. Why would you ask that?”

She flinched, a nerve exposed by his question, and it began to throb deep inside of her. She turned away from him. “You would not be the first, your Grace. It doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter, Emma,” he whispered. He was so close, his breath toucher her lips.

Everyone notices the Duke, and as a wall-flower with average looks, Emma knows she’ll never catch the attention of James. Yet Emma is one of those whose beauty increases as we get to know her personality and strength. The saying is so true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When James and Emma have their first kiss, I’m completely invested and the moment has my entire body reveling in their off-the-charts chemistry. Because this is a budding love based off of an attraction not rooted in looks, but in worth.

She found herself lifting her chin, found her eyes fluttering closed as is if some ancient instinct drove her to do so. And then his mouth brushed over hers and every thought, every hesitation, everything else in the world, faded from her mind.

His arms came around her and she gasped. He took advantage of her lips parting and traced his tongue across the opening. She froze. She’d never been kissed before—she had no idea what to do. But he didn’t relent, he just tilted his head for better access.

Yes, I love this book. I’m a new fan of Jess Michaels and because of The Daring Duke, I've added all her books to my TBR pile.

FINAL DECISION: A pretty straight forward historical romance, the story of these characters is complicated by miserable families which have hurt them and made them question the institution of marriage. A good beginning of a new series premised on the improbable coincidence of a number of eligible dukes available for marriage at the same time.

THE STORY: James, Duke of Abernathe, is a founding member of the 1797 Club -- a group of young dukes who work together and help one another navigate their positions. A central part of being a duke is marrying to carry on the family, but James intends never to marry even though no one knows why. Miss Emma Liston is a bluestocking and wallflower and in four seasons has not found a spouse. She asks James to help her by pretending to be interested in her in order to increase her popularity among the other men of the ton.

OPINION: This is a book with immensely likeable main characters. Both Emma and James have been hurt by their dysfunctional families which has made both wary of marriage. Yet they quickly find in one another passion and friendship and eventually love.

Emma is a bluestocking and wallflower who wants love and marriage but has a father who threatens all her possible happiness. The book manages to keep the exact nature of her father's threat secret and gently moves toward the crisis in the book.

James is a man who is determined never to marry in revenge on the father who abused him as a child. James is a kind man who wants the best for his family but cannot forget the neglect and active abuse of his father who never wanted James as his heir. James wants Emma and uses the excuse of "helping" her find another man as an excuse to get closer to her -- even though James himself doesn't recognize that fact.

The book is highly focused on the couple in this book and the plot is really designed to bring these two together and thus doesn't have much impact other than that purpose.

My one complaint about the story is that Emma quickly agrees to engage in sexual acts with James without any intention of marriage. While the intense sexuality is expected in a Jess Michaels book, I thought that the innocent Emma too quickly agrees to allow James to debauch her as long as she remains technically a virgin.

This one complaint doesn't impair my overall enjoyment of the story primarily because the characters are so likeable.

WORTH MENTIONING: I can't wait to read James's sister's story.

CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DARING DUKE is the first book in the 1797 Club series which tells the story of ten dukes.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received and ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Count on Jess Michaels to push through the envelope and get right to the heart of the matter. Wicked entertainment, full of scandal, secrets and romance. The Daring Duke is a fantastic tale of sensuality that stirs the heart while tempting everything else. In an act of desperation, wallflower Emma, seeks out life of the party, James' (Duke of Abernathe) help. What begins as a pact between friends becomes a romance that just may last a lifetime. The Daring Duke is emotionally stunning, and of course this is Jess Michaels, so salacious as well. Prepare to scandalized and equally surprised.

This new series has started off with a bang In the form of James and Emma. Since Jess Michaels announced that she was making this series, I like a lot of her readers was very excited to read the 1797 Club. This has the Michaels’ magical touch that we have come to know and love. The many devastating Duke’s that we have in attendance in this series is astounding , and if James is anything to go by we are going to be losing our heart to these aristocratic rogues over and over again......
Full review at
https://chicksroguesandscandals.wordpress.com/2017/03/07/review-the-daring-duke-1797-club-book-1-by-jess-michaels/

The Daring Duke by Jess Michaels
A 1997 Club Novel #1

Ten teens at boarding school form a club to assist one another as they grow into their positions of being dukes one day - The 1997 Club - this series is already plotted out to have ten volumes starring the ten who form the club. In this the first book, we meet James Rylon – once the Earl of Pullman – now the Duke of Abernathe. We find out more about him as we also find out whether or not he will find a HEA and if so, who he will end up with as his duchess.

At one of the season’s events Emma Liston is in her usual position maintaining her wallflower and bluestocking status while chatting with Meg Rylon when Meg’s mother shows up in need of assistance. Emma helps Meg with her mother and a friendship between Emma and Meg begins to form. When James, Meg’s brother, comes to check on his mother he meets Emma and then dances with her and he is somewhat intrigued…for a number of reasons…though not the usual reasons he becomes interested in a woman.

Emma’s parents are a pain in the patoot. Her mother has one thing on her mind and that is to marry Emma off to guarantee she, the mother, will be secure in the future. Her father is a scoundrel and absentee husband who usually returns home only after having created a scandal. James’s parents are higher born but have been equally if differently problematic. He has his sister and his club mates that stand in place of the brothers his parents did not provide. Neither Emma nor James has any desire to marry but with society and family the way it is they realize that at some point in time they will probably end up with someone whether they want to or not.

With Meg wanting Emma around more and more there is plenty of opportunity for James to observe and spend time with Emma. There is time to flirt, communicate, share and be together while both maintain that there is nothing between them…though they make others in the group believe there is. Whether or not James will wise up and realize that a vow made to spite his father still has validity is one question to be answered as is what Emma is willing to do to please her parents and society. Will the two find a HEA, and if so, will it be together?

This was a fun read and great introduction to the series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series in which I do believe that Meg, betrothed to one of the club members, will have to decide whether marriage to that person or perhaps to another is best for all involved. I have never read another book by this author but look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing-The Passionate Pen. This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I am giving an honest review in return for this ARC. Two very different families. Two vastly different people. The one thing that draws them together is the similarity of their pasts and fractured souls. Wonderful redemptive read.

This was a great start to what I know is going to be a great series by Michaels!! Just think, 10 eligible dukes and their stories, I can't wait!!

I loved Emma!! She was one of those woman that because of her past, just doesn't know how great she is. She is first befriended by Meg when she helps out with a sticky situation. Meg, seeing how great Emma is, brings her into her inner circle where she ends up spending more time with Meg's brother James, the Duke of Abernathe. Emma's attraction to James is instant, but she knows that a duke is too good for her.

James has been through a lot in his life that left him determined never to marry. But he is more than happy to pay some attention to Emma to help her on the marriage mart. But once he starts spending more time with her, he doesn't like the way he feels when he thinks of her going to another man. James keeps denying his feelings, but when the time comes that he might lose Emma, he steps up to the plate and doesn't allow that to happen.

I loved watching both Meg and James grow as people while their relationship came together. Meg began to see her own worth as James began to see that he can't allow his father to dictate is decisions from the grave.

I can't wait for the next book in the series, Her favorite Duke, which features Meg and Simon, the Duke of Crestwood. I just knew there was something between them while reading this story! Michaels does an awesome job of tying her series together!

I've read several of this author's books and enjoyed them. The h is always charming but a little awkward. The H is usually not dastardly but not perfect. This H was great, good, kind and gentlemanly. The h was a wallflower mainly because her father is a jerk. She calls herself a bluestocking, but there was no proof that she is one. They reach an agreement to have a pretend courtship, to better her prospects and keep mommas and debutants away from him. Needless to say, nothing goes according to plan. This is a quick, predictable read, with a few twists. It's well written with very likable and charming characters. Enjoyed this first in a series book.

What a gem!
It has been some time since I picked up a book that I had me pretty engrossed that I would find myself thinking about it at work! James and Emma’s story did that for me.

Once again Ms. Jess Michaels brings us a book full of robust, sensual and very interesting characters. I love picking up her books and being swept away by her stories.

In this new series we find ort handsome, sensual duke. James, Duke of Abernathe. Even with all his wealth, and financially stability he carries with him deep sorrow and anger towards a father that treated him, his sister and mother really badly. He endured humiliation, abuse and a loveless relationship and witnessed what his father’s treatment did to his mom, to the point that he has resigned himself not to marry.

Enter our heroine, a plain wallflower with beautiful striking eyes. She carries with her the shame of a gambling father, and a social climbing mother, she needs to find a husband so that she and her mother can be financially secured. She strikes up a friendship with James’s sister, Meg. As a result of this friendship she starts to enter the social circle of the Duke of Abernathe. Their close encounters become more heated as they slowly get to know each other.

James devices a plan that if he can pretend to court Emma that it will bring her more interest from other gentlemen and it will also help him steer away from all the debuntantes looking for a husband. This seems to be working perfectly at first but the attraction between these two is pretty intense and certainly makes for some pretty heated encounters.

I love James and Emma’s story. He was a strong hero. A bit damaged but certainly something that Emma can slowly heal. Emma was sweet. I thought I would miss having a spunky heroine, but I think her sweetness and calm demeanor complimented James perfectly. I lovely story! I can’t wait for all other future books in the series.

The Daring Duke begins a 10-book new series from Jess Michaels. Ten gents are members of "the 1797 club"... a club formed by young men who are heirs to a dukedom. Book 1 focus on the leader, James, the Duke of Abernathe and introduces 5 others members. Abernathe has vowed never to marry but his plot to aid Emma, the wallflower, seriously endangers his vow. Even though both James and Emma have some heavy personal baggage which tends to drag out the storyline a bit, book one is worth the read.

Loved this book! Can't wait for the next book in the series Meg & Simons I'm guessing 😊

4 Stars

ARC received from Netgalley for an honest review.

Review posted to GoodReads

I feel like I am cheating on my first love when I say that this series already has the possibility of topping the Notorious Flynn’s by Jess Michaels. Just saying that has me drowning in guilt!

This series starts off with James, the Duke of Abernathe, and founding member of the 1797 Club (actually he was the reason it was formed). I must insert that all of the members are Dukes (or will be) which has me currently doing a happy dance. The opening scene between James and his father, is very telling of why he never wanted to marry, a key in this story.

Years later add to the mix, Miss Emma Liston, who shows such kindness and compassion towards James’ sister, Meg, that the two women become immediate friends. Emma is intimidated by Meg’s brother, “The Golden Boy”, especially as she has a horrible father who is close to sealing her fate as a wallflower or worse, wife or mistress of his choosing.

Somehow the two kindred spirits find a way to help each other out by pretending to court. It is not long before barriers are broken down and feelings develop. When Emma’s disgrace of a father returns, James must decide quickly how to save her and Emma must figure out that she is worthy of being saved.

I just loved this and I have to reiterate, from other reviews I have done on Jess Michaels books, that she somehow keeps you so engaged on the couple at hand and yet adds has you eagerly anticipating the next book by incorporating those characters into the storyline. I can’t wait for more!

I've read this author's work in the past with various results and I can honestly say that The Daring Duke by Jess Michaels is at the top of my favorites list of her better stories. Although the villain in this book was totally predictable it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. James and Emma were good characters and I enjoyed the growth of Emma in her confidence and self worth, but I also enjoyed James character growth as well in understanding that he's not his father. I'm excited to read Meg & Simons story next as it's obvious that they have romantic feelings towards each other but feel that they can not go against James setup betrothal between herself and his other best friend and fellow Duke, Graham. But I'm sure they'll both get their HEA's. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

At the age of fourteen, James Rylon made a decision that would change the course of many lives. Along with his best friends Simon and Graham, they started The 1797 Club. The clubs members consist of young men who will inherit a dukedom. The men of the 1797 band together to learn how to become the best leaders they can since some men can’t bother to teach their sons. Especially James’ father, the cruel Duke of Abernathe.

Flash forward to 1810, James is now the 15th Duke of Abernathe. He vowed long before never to marry and let the title die or pass on to distant family member. That was before he met Miss Emma Liston.

Emma is the daughter of a third son from a small viscounty. Although her grandfather is well respected, her father had been cut off long ago and with it, many of their society connections. Mr. Liston’s gambling and debauchery is a constant threat to Emma and her mother. Her mother is terrified the next time Liston remembers his family, he will bring a scandal that will make a match for Emma impossible. Emma must marry as soon as possible. Through her new friendship with James’ sister, Meg, Emma is able to befriend James and obliterate her wallflower status. Through an unusual arrangement, James agrees to a false courtship with Emma to elevate her prospects while keeping the marriage minded mamas away from him.

Michaels started this series with a bang! James and Emma are strong, dynamic characters with wastrels for parents. From the moment they meet, both James and Emma feel an undeniable spark. They have much more in common than they could ever imagine. James tries to deny the spark but soon begins a fire that will never be tamed. Michaels weaves several different threads together, some taut, others barely holding together, yet they form the perfect story. A very large curve hit me hard as I was not expecting it at all, but it was the perfect way to lead to happily ever after.

The Daring Duke is the first book in the exciting new 1797 Club series. Jess Michaels will be busy over the next few years. The remaining nine novels are planned to be released through 2018. I can’t wait to read each and every one!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

James, Simon & Graham are fourteen years old & attend Braxton Academy, they are best friends but also heirs to dukedoms. James’ father visits & as is usual berates James for being inadequate. Simon & Graham both witness this & the boys skip classes to go fishing. Whilst they are fishing they all agree to help each other as they have no help from their fathers & decide to form a club. An exclusive club for heirs to a dukedom & there are ten such heirs at the the Academy, all very much of an age, thus the 1797 club is formes with James at its head.
The story now jumps to 1810 & he wild and charismatic James Rylon fifteenth Duke of Abernathe is the kind of friend anyone would wish to have but he has vehemently declared he will never marry and only his closest friends understands why.
Miss Emma Liston is a bluestocking wallflower into her fourth season & with an absentee father who is a scandal waiting to happen, her mother insists she needs to marry but Emma would prefer a quiet life in the country. At the first ball of the season she helps her new friend Meg handle a difficult situation with Meg’s mother. Soon after Emma & her mother are invited to a house party at Meg’s brother’s country estate. James is attracted to Emma & they form a plan for a pretend courtship just long enough for her to gain the attention of others & he to avoid debutantes & matrons.
When her father returns, threatening her with a terrible future, their courtship swiftly becomes all too real.
I was hooked from the prologue, 10 would be dukes & of course they all have issues. I’m waiting with bated breath for the rest of the series. James & Emma both are living under the shadow of their fathers & it was handled really well how the came out into the light.
As I’ve come to expect from the author a page turning well written book that kept me engrossed from start to finish & also left me wanting more. The attraction between the pair sizzles but they also become friends & confidents. Some of the other Dukes do feature so some idea of their trials & tribulations were revealed, again making want to be able to read their stories & the teaser at the end did just that!

Charming, sweet, fun, interesting and all up a great read! Two wonderfully crafted characters and hints of quite a few more!

Cold nights and a wonderfully warm book thank you Ms Michaels!

There are nine more books in this series, how cool is that? Always fabulous to find a new series!

Such a fun way to start a new series. So many dukes in one place what is a girl to do? Such fun intrigue and steady pace. I never wanted it to end.