This book was pure torture porn and it make me sick to the stomach. After reading this book I have to drop this author since her books as of late tend to revel in the torturous side of things as well as it being very sex heavy.

This book was a wild, passionate, sexy, dangerous, tormented read, in the best way. I could not put this down. Turkish pirates seem to be hard to leave behind but Bedford feels a sense of obligation to save the man who saved him. However, resisting the daughter of the man he is saving is one of his hardest tasks. Throw in a scandalous/murderous cousin, opium, a doctor friend and you have a book that you cannot put down!

Lady Hestia has loved Alex since he saved her after she was kidnapped in the Mediterranean, but Alex keeps pushing her away. Vengeance against the same villain who captured him and kept him prisoner for two years is his focus. He doesn't feel worthy of this beautiful woman. Hestia won't give up. When another villain comes into play only a powerful love can change his mind. Absolutely a must read!

Alex was high on laudanum and what Lady Dianne was doing to him orally. She was Alex current paramour and a young widow. Alex arrived in London for the season. He had spent the winter at Bracken Park with his younger siblings. He had no women there preferring to work hard and be with his family. Dianne was a quick learner and was making up for the two years she had been married to an old man. But years ago Alec learned life was not a fairy tale - it was dark, dirty, and hard. His mother did mention Alec needed to settle down with a wife but he was in no hurry to marry. The idea of having children scared Alex to death as the world was just a cruel and unjust place. Alec had saved her from ruin and torture as the man who had kidnapped Hestia planned on raping her right in front of his men and make her a slave had also made Alec a slave. so Lady Hestia was in love and determined to marry Alec someday. But Hestia’s father against her being with the Duke and the Alec didn’t show any interest in her that way because he felt Hestia was too good for him. But then the Turkish pirate Murad Alec had saved Hestia from returned. Alec had been his slave for two years as he had got Alec hooked on drugs. Hestia’s father went missing and Hestia and her aunt want Alec’s help looking for her father. Hestia father’s heir- her cousin- is saying he is dead .and trying to take over what Hestia had inherited from her mother’s estate on her father’s death. Alex decides to Hestia with him on his ship on the heir could force her to marry him or even have her killed. Alec wants Hestia but is determined to do nothing. Alex still wants to kill Murad.
I liked this book.This was a quick,action, adventure packed with a side of romance read. I didn’t want to put this down as I wanted to see what was going to happen next. This had some repetition and that was a little annoying . I thought the author did a good job addressing rape, addiction, and male sexual abuse as well as slavery. I liked Alec and Hestia together. I liked the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

Opioid addiction is not a modern issue. It was prevalent in many ages including the early 1800's when the opium trade was a big money making trade. Unfortunately its addictive properties were not fully understood. Laudanum was used indiscriminately for everything from migraines to teething. It is in this atmosphere this story takes place. It features a faulted hero, one who knows his shortcomings though they are not his fault. At the tender age of sixteen, Alex saved Hestia from the clutches of the wicked Turkish pirate who had held Alex in captivity for two years. It was during his captivity that Alex became addicted, first as a cruel type of torture and then as a means of survival. Four years later, Hestia needs his help to find her father who was last in the area ruled by Alex's tormentor. It doesn't help that Hestia has been in love with Alex ever since he saved her. He has strong feelings for her, but denies them. He feels he is not good enough for her, that his last is too dark to involve an innocent like Hestia.
Like Ms. Evans' other books, Addicted to the Duke is fast paced, full of danger, villians, and several surprise twists. All of which keep the reader interested and quickly turning the pages. This is the first book in a new series. I am looking forward to reading the next in line.

I really loved Alex and Hestia's story!! She has been in love with him since he rescued her at the age of 16. But because of things in Alex's past, he doesn't believe that he is good enough for Hestia. The pair team up to try and find Hestia's father and that brings them closer together, but can Alex get past his feelings of inadequacy?

This was a great start to a new series by Evans!

I admit it, I am a historical romance junkie. I have enjoyed reading a few of Bronwen Evans other books. This book is An Imperfect Lords novel. The writing, as I have come to expect, flows well and keeps the reader involved with the characters. Evans' books are filled with time appropriate issues and outcomes that leave you satisfied. Bronwen Evans is a MUST READ AUTHOR and this is a must read book.

***ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
***Thank you***

Addicted to the Duke was one of those romance novels that made me cry and simultaneously root for the main characters. Alex, completely destroyed from his time in captivity to Turkish pirate where he cultivated a raging opium addiction, is in love with Lady Hestia. However, haunted by his past, he pushes her away believing he is unworthy of her affections.

Lady Hestia is devoted to the man who rescued her from the same Turkish pirates a few years after Alex escaped captivity. Unfortunately, although Hestia is besotted with her savior for years after being rescued, Alex does not appear to feel the same way about her. Yet, Hestia is sure she can make Alex finally see her as a woman and not the child she was when he rescued her while on a sea voyage to save her father from being murdered for her family fortune. And so ensues an intense story of love, loss and acceptance..

Lady Hestia was slightly more naive than I would have liked for the heroine of Addicted to the Duke. She often swung between devotion to Alex and thinking he didn’t love her..only to be completely devoted to him moments later when Alex bats his “tortured” eyes in her direction once again. If Bronwen was not such a talented writer, I would have hated this book based solely on Hestia’s character, yet Hestia’s mood swings were palatable thanks to the strongly emotional plot surrounding Alex and Hestia’s star crossed lovers plot.
Dark, sensitive love interest, evil pirates and an emotional roller coaster opens up a new series by Brownen Evans. Addicted to the Duke another satisfying and beautiful read written by a master of the romance genre.

In relation to Bronwen’s other novels I found Alex particularly dark. The Disgraced Lords series featured haunted, broken and dark male romantic interests, but in Addicted to the Duke she has created one of my favorite male protagonist. Alex is easy to relate to regardless of his past. I found that I was saddened by Alex’s story and shed tears over the emotional anguish he felt from wanting the girl he loves but cannot allow himself to have. Slowly we learn why Alex is so tortured and we empathize with him. Alex's eventual evolution into something more than a womanizer and drug addict is inspiring.
I still loved the ending regardless of how little heart-tug I received from it: the ending was satisfying and opened up the series to our next installment which looks to be exciting.

The most unfortunate thing about this novel was that it was over far too quickly with a rushed ending that could have used more of Bronwen’s emotionally manipulative magic (and I say that with affection because all of her “feels” moments sneak up on you and you’re always surprised to find yourself having a spectacular emotional reaction without warning). Of course, reading Bronwen Evans is never enough because she's just that good at making strong characters and good plots in a market saturated with far too many mediocre novels.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy dark romances, flawed heroes and emotional stories. I would suggest this to readers of the Disgraced Lord series and avid romance readers looking for another fantastic read. A warning to readers that Addicted to the Duke deals with dark subject matter.

Addicted To The Duke easily makes my list of favorite historical romance novels! Alexander Bracken, Duke of Bedford captured my heart from the moment he fought his way out of hell. Literally a hell on earth. I'm amazed at the author's ability to add it such tormented, soul-searing pain to the hero and still have him come out mentally strong and stable in the end. And Lady Hestia Cary...what a heroine. I loved her character because she saw what she wanted and put her everything into getting it. Sheer stubbornness meets sheer will,  in which lends the story a delightfully sweet defeat by the most enthralling characters I've ever read. I enjoyed the backstory of each of the main characters and even some of the secondary characters. The only thing I wish I was different is when a certain someone turned on another certain someone. No, I will not tell you, you must read it yourself! Anywho...I was truly sad when that character was killed off. He was one of my faves. Other than that, the storyline and characters were a pure joy to read. Great job to the author Bronwen Evans and I really look forward to reading more from her! I recommend to all readers who enjoy romance, drama and a bit of suspense.

I really enjoy reading Bronwen Evans.. she's my go to for historical reads when I'm in the mood.. her books are filled with time appropriate issues and outcomes.. when now a days are things we don't give a second thought too and take for granted.. Most of the books I've read by her have action, intrigued, angst and passion.. And I always get sucked in with that one secondary character you just need to know more about.. So this is definitely another series I will continue to pick up..

This was another great book by on of my favorite authors. This book has strong characters to match the adventure they will take you on. Note there is strong sexual and drug content in this book. This did not bother me but for some it may. Ms. Evans writes with such emotion and I was unable to put it down.

Author Bronwen Evans continues to challenge the reader with her hard-hitting provocative storylines. In Addicted to the Duke she hits on subjects not normally discussed, opium and laudanum addiction as well as others that you will find out by reading the book.

While reading the Prologue I wasn't sure if there would be a way for me to find this book a romance but I love this author so really there was no options for me not to give this book a try. WOW.....this was an impactful read and Alexander's character was handled superbly taking the reader deeply into how he got addicted and why he still struggled with his demons as he did. There are richly detailed heartbreaking parts to this book that will cause the reader to feel Alexander's pain and want to hold him and take away his fears.

Hestia's character is strong and soft if that is possible. She has a steel backbone but a soft womanly exterior. Her heart is firmly fixed on loving Alexander so she does everything she can to get his attention.

A well rounded secondary cast adds to this thought-provoking storyline keeping the reader enthralled with this fast-paced ever changing read.

Because this book made me uncomfortable as well as mesmerized I give it 5 STARS.

When Lady Hestia was sixteen, she was captured by a crazy Sultan - whose intent was nothing good. Alex, the Duke of Bedford rescues her and they become closer. Alex is the man of her dreams, and no season in London can replace him in her eyes. However, while her father has been like a surrogate father to Alex, his message is hands off. She doesn't understand, but Alex does. He is not only addicted to opiates, but his past holds a secret that Lady Hestia's father feels places marriage to his daughter out of the question. Alex stays away from Lady Hestia...but when she calls him to help her find her father, he risks all he has to help her;. But can he keep his past a secret? And can he keep his heart in tact?
Great job with characters and the plot line. Bronwen handles two very controversial and difficult subjects and keeps her readers engaged. Highly recommend.

Lady Hestia, (an earl's daughter) was abducted and sold to the pirate Murad. She was saved by Lord Alex, who had been a prisoner of Murad for many years. Alex still suffers nightmares of that time. His captivity wasn't spent behind bars; it was of the mind...
Compelling historical romance! Explores contemporary problems in historical content. Hestia, Alex, David and the other characters were shown to be smart, caring and competent while still showing their humanity in their flaws. Some things were echoed and rehashed, unnecessarily, didn't take away from the mastery of the book; it's power in dealing with issues including drug addiction, shame and self-esteem. Enjoyed!
Voluntarily read ARC for honest review.

I enjoy Bronwen Evan’s books. She writes meaty plots, with steamy characters!

In this book we find Lady Hestia and Alexander Sylvester Bracken, Duke of Bedford. Years ago, Alexander saved Hestia from a wicked Turkish pirate, a pirate that at one point also kept Alexander a captive and heavily induced him with opioid.

Since then Hestia has love him, and while Alexander has a special place in his heart for Hestia, he has promised her father to stay away from her. Hestia’s father is aware of his addiction and history and does not want any part of this for his daughter. But Hestia has to turn to Alexander for help, since her father is missing and she is in danger. Alexander agrees to help her, even if at first he struggled with the decision. But by doing this it will give him the opportunity to go after the Turkish pirate that imprisoned him for so long and started his addiction.

This book is certainly not for those that are looking for a light hearted read. It has its dark moments and you can just feel the struggle that Alexander was going through. You certainly wanted to root for our heroine, who loves him so much and wanted to be there for him.
It’s a dark read, but a good one.

This romance is not for the faint of heart. It starts with an attempted rape, goes on wirh a rather graphic scene of oral sex while the hero is under the influence of laudanum and the whole story centers on the damages that the hero suffered as a consequence of his induced addiction to opium and the psycholgical and sexual abuses he was subject to during his two years captivity in the hands of a Turkish pirate.

As dark as this romance is, it is also a touching tale of the reedeming power of the heroine's love for the man who was once saved her life as well as his eventual acknowledgment of his own feelings and desire to fight for them and put his past with its depravities behind. The plot mixes romance and adventure, twists and passionate love scenes in a generally fast pace and pleasant writing style. One flaw is that it is sometimes repetitive, with the hero insisting he is not worthy of the woman who loves him with said woman repeatedly wondering how she can conquer his defences.

Unless you are looking for a sweet romance with witty banter and little more than a few kisses, this is a good sensual romance with an interesting element of adventurous suspence and reflection on the struggle for a second chance for people who have fallen victims of addiction.

Though I was a bit weary of the book at first due to the intro given by the author, I though it was so well done. I truly enjoyed every second of it. I was proud to see how Alexander works hard to overcome his addictions and issues. I thought it was so sad how he became addicted in the first place. Hestia was also an awesome strong woman who helps balance the book nicely. Great job.

Another smashing book!!! Five ☆☆☆☆☆ starts rating.

DNF. Thank you to the Publisher for the review copy though!

Good setting and strong characters. Helps you understand that moving forward is the best option. No matter what your past you can always continue on and find happiness.