I am a big Madeline Hunter fan, and I really enjoyed this first in a series book. The H is interesting and mysterious, the h is charming and independent. Together they make a dynamic couple I loved together. What I really appreciated in this story was that there was no terrible created danger or threat to the relationship, they very naturally responded to each other and talked about the problems they encountered, and continued in the relationship. He had issues with her family, but found himself falling in love, and saw her as separate from the rest of the family. There was a lot of passion and romance. Highly recommended!

"The Most Dangerous Duke in London" is a solid four-star read by Madeline Hunter. Adam and Clara's families don't like each other, in fact, they are probably each others number one enemies. Adam has been away from England in France for the last five years and had scandal attached to his name while he was away. It seems he fought some duels and lived to tell about them.
So, Clara's grandmother has an idea to avoid her grandson fighting with Adam (not really well explained) have Adam marry her youngest granddaughter - not Clara. Adam really isn't interested, but becomes very interested upon meeting the older one Clara.
Clara isn't interested in marriage - at all. She is working on publishing a women's journal, has her own house and money, no need for a man. But, she likes Adam, actually enjoys being around him even though they should be enemies.
Adam and Clara are definitely into each other and there is a bit of mystery to solve regarding Adam's father's death. There were whispers of treason and Adam wants the truth. Some of the prose is a little nondescript, I was never sure if Adam set out to use Clara for revenge or if he truly wanted to marry her from the get-go. Was a bit confusing. I liked both Adam and Clara and the side characters were interesting.
There were a few really tame passionate scenes - I definitely would have liked to have read more passion, but I enjoyed the book. Would recommend this one, it's a good read

Exciting beginning to Madeline Hunter's new 'Decadent Dukes Society' trilogy! In addition to the main hero and heroine in this book, we get a great introduction to the next two dukes who will have their stories. Can't wait!!

I really liked our hero - Adam Penrose, the Duke of Stratton. He has been living under a shadow for years and even fled the country to avoid some of it. However, the shadow followed him to France where he was involved in duels because of some people's belief that his father had committed treason. So, he returns to England fully intending to find the truth of who is behind the heinous rumors - and to prove they aren't true.

I also liked our heroine - Clara Cheswick who is the oldest daughter of his family's sworn enemy. Clara has only heard the worst about Adam, so she has little to make her think well of him. She's also determined to keep her independence and never marry, so when she is inexplicably drawn to Adam she is really disconcerted.

The story is well developed and the characters, including the supporting characters, are complete and well developed. Madeline Hunter writes an excellent story filled with romance, angst and a great mystery.

Now, I loved the characters and the story -- but there are a few things that just aren't well explained or plausible. First -- how easily Adam and Clara manage to have their liaisons with no chaperones, etc. Also - Clara moves into her own home unchaperoned and she is still acceptable in the ton (not likely). Then, there is Clara's grandmother. I just didn't get what made her decide to try to forge an alliance with Adam. She didn't appear to me to have had a sudden epiphany that she had done a real bad thing. I don't know -- just didn't buy that part!

"I requested and received this book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

The Most Dangerous Duke In London is a wonderful series starter book from Madeline Hunter. I adore this author's storytelling and as usual this one was a delightful page turner.

Adam and Clara had a tumultuous relationship from the very beginning. They were caught in the middle of a family feud but even from their first meeting they wanted each other. Before too long they both found themselves torn between family loyalties and their growing feelings for one another. I got a definite Romeo and Juliette vibe from this romantic tale. It was loaded with passion and emotion that played out amidst secrets and betrayals on both sides.

I really loved this first story in the Decadent Dukes trilogy and can't wait to read the next one, A DEVIL OF A DUKE.

ARC Kindle Copy for Review

Their families have been enemies since their grandfathers’ time.

The Duke of Stratton returns to London after years in France and the mysterious death of his father who appeared to commit suicide. Rumors had it that his father was helping to support Napoleon’s army due to that his wife was French did not help. Adam returns home wanting to know the truth after all.

But to his surprise he is summon by the Dowager of his family enemy who wants a truce between the families and using her youngest granddaughter Emilia, as marriage bait. But it is Clara the o;dest which catches his eyes.

Clara does not want anything to do with him and does not understand why her deceased father would want her sister to marry the enemy. She tries to snub him but he continues to woe her.

Along the way, she slowly weakens against him as she fights the idea of marriage to him. A sweeping tale of romance and intrigue,

Madeline Hunter is a tough one for me. She is a very skilled writer, and her way with prose (and the historical romance genre) keeps her at the top of the pile. HOWEVER...as I have with the last few of her books, I really struggled to like the Hero.

Don't get me wrong: I love me a strong, arrogant, even jerk of an alpha...however Adam really takes the cake. Ruthless to the enth, especially in the first half of the book I just kept wanting to tell Clara "YOU CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN HIM! Even the single life would be better than him!!"

Clara on the other hand is awesome. Super independent, prickly, interesting, intelligent; she loves her family despite their obvious flaws, and single-mindedly pursues her passion for publishing a women's journal. Dude, I loved her. (Except for how quickly she fell under Adam's spell...)

3 stars.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I loved The Most Dangerous Duke in London. For being only book one of a series, I was surprised by how smoothly it flowed. I can't wait to see what it's in store for our other two Decadent Dukes.

I have read some of Madeline Hunter's novels and I have enjoyed them. This book did not disappoint. I enjoyed the plot of the story and the characters. This novel contains romance, mystery, and revenge.
Clara Cheswick is a member of the family whom is Adam Penrose, Duke of Stratton's enemy. He blames her father for the demise and death of his father. He returns from France, seeking revenge.
Clara is a bluestocking and is publishing a woman's journal. She keeps the journal a secret from everyone, except for those who write for the journal. Clara enjoys horseback riding and other activities that could be considered unladylike for this time period.
When Clara's grandmother and half-brother decide Stratton should marry Clara's half-sister, Clara disagrees. Stratton sees the intelligence and trouble in Clara and desires her from the moment she turned her back on him. He has a motive for spending time with Clara, but that changes as he spends more time with her. Clara tries to avoid Adam, but he is very persistent. Clara finds herself falling in love with him, even though she has no desire to marry. Clara does not want to lose her independence. Both Adam and Clara are keeping secrets from each other.
Adam wants to discover the truth and will do whatever it takes to discover it, even if it means using Clara. However, sometimes the price you pay for the truth is not worth losing the thing you care the most for. In Adam's quest for revenge, will he destroy the family of the woman he has come to love? Part of the mystery is trying to figure out exactly happened between the two families all those years ago and the author does a great job of keeping you guessing until the truth is revealed.