Her favourite Duke is an enjoyable, sexy romance, with an engaging plot that keeps the reader turning the pages. I liked the contrasting characters, each is developed pretty well over the course of the book.
I did think that there were moments while reading which I thought were a little slower in pace, which did tend to grate on me a little. But overall a good story.

This was a decent story and I somewhat enjoyed both the hero and the heroine, Simon and Margaret. However, nothing really stood out making it a great book.

Margaret/Meg Rylon was dress in full black and she should be mourning as her father had just been put in the ground a few hours ago. But she did not see sadness in her eyes and she didn’t feel it either. She felt nothing in her heart for her father the late Duke of Abernathe. The man had not spoken directly to her in three years even though the lived under the same roof. She had been nothing but a failure at an attempt for a spare. To her she had been cruel. In truth she was happy he was dead. Meg’s mother had turned to the bottle for comfort already as her husband despised her. Meg was sure her mother the Duchess was fully drunk and would stay that way for weeks using her husband’s death as an excuse. Then Meg noticed that Simon and Graham had arrived. It had been six years since she had met James - her brother-best friends. Seven years later Simon was Duke of Crestwood. He was in the ballroom staring at Lady Margaret -sister of one of his closest friends and her fiance Graham who was the Duke of Northfield. Graham didn’t like to dance so Meg often came to Simon to dance with her as graham wouldn’t. But Simon secretly wants meg for his own. At some point Simon just had to had to forget his feelings for Meg. He wanted the same thing James had with his new bride but with Meg. Since Meg’s engagement to Graham Simon and Meg had gotten closer and though he would never say it out loud Meg was Simon’s best friend. Simon had cared and wanted Meg seven to eight years now. But he couldn’t ruin everything and let his feelings out. Meg felt deeply about Simon and hated the women in his arms as they danced. Then Graham talked of the date they would marry Meg agreed then went outside and sat at a table and put her head down and cried. Then Simon came out and saw Meg crying. And sat at the table and slid his arm around Meg’s shoulder and guided her toward his shoulder and she rested her cheek against his chest. Then Meg got up and walked back into the light from indoors. Simon realized Meg didn’t really want to marry Graham. Then Meg and Simon are caught in a storm and have to find shelter in a cabin then everyone finds out they were alone in a cabin and Simon was forced to marry Meg which he wanted anyway. Meg can’t take all the guilt Simon feels and how distant he has become and leaves him. The way that Simon and Meg were found hurt everyone and basically destroyed a couple of lifelong friendships.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the plot and the pace. I don’t understand why Graham is so bitter he didn’t love Meg he was engaged to her as he felt it was an obligation to James. I also felt Simon didn't have to go on so long about the guilt he couldn’t change it and he had gotten the one he loved. I also think Meg should have tried harder to make things better between Simon and his friends and let James know she didn’t want to be with Graham. I didn’t want to put this down as I wanted to see what would happen next. I advise you to read the books in this series in order so all will run smoothly when reading this book. I enjoyed the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

The writing was decent. If you want a good story with complex and interesting characters, this one comes highly recommended.

I absolutely loved this story!!

Margaret has been in love with Simon for years, but when her brother sets up her betrothal to someone else, she is too shocked to say anything. A scandal forces them to marry, but both are filled with guilt over hurting Margaret's betrothed.

Can these two find the happiness that each of them craves?

Another splendid piece of work by Michaels!

Hot, hot, hot. As always two good characters and tons of hotness. Seriously Simon is one of my favorite hero names, and Jess helped keep it that way! I want to say more, but it would definitely give something away.

Theres isn't a single Jess Michaels book I don't love. You always feel with the leads - through pain and passion. Amazing!

I love, 'I've loved you for year's stories and this was great for me. Simon and Margaret finally get a chance to be together but only at the expense of Margaret's fiancee and one of Simon's close friends. Will the guilt drive them apart ?Enjoyed immensely.
I received an ARC copy of this book from netgalley.

"He loved her, as he always had. And he would marry her. She would be his. But this beginning, it would hang over them. Perhaps it would not be something they could ever overcome. The very idea that it wasn't broke his heart."

FINAL DECISION: This one was very enjoyable. Two characters who have loved one another for years and now have to marry would seem to be a simple and boring situation. However, the complexity of the feelings of love and guilt combined make this a compelling read deftly executed.

THE STORY: Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood has loved Margaret Rylon, the sister of one of his best friends for years. The only problem is that she is engaged to another one of Simon's best friends. He has run from his feelings and tried to ignore them. Now when the wedding date has been set, the two are found in a compromising situation which forces their marriage. But Simon has a great deal of guilt for destroying his friendships and also struggles with feeling unworthy of Margaret.

OPINION: I enjoyed this book tremendously. The romance seemed simple but the complexity of the story unfolded itself and demonstrates why I like series with overarching stories so much. In the first book in the series, readers were introduced to the 1797 Club -- a group of future dukes who bonded together and became the best of friends. But as this book demonstrates, their friendship is not always easy.

Simon, Graham and James have been friends from almost the beginning. When James (who also was the hero of the first book in the series) became duke, he wanted to secure the future of his younger sister Margaret aka Meg. It seemed so natural to betroth her to one of his best friends. The only problem is that James chose the wrong friend. Meg and Simon were already having feelings for one another that went beyond friendship although they had not expressed them to one another. Neither, however, wanted to hurt James or Graham and so they each decided to walk away from their budding feelings.

Ten years later, the date has finally been set on Graham and Meg's wedding day, but Meg is distraught rather than happy. What follows is Meg and Simon being caught in a compromising situation that results in the breaking of Meg's engagement and a hasty marriage between Meg and Simon. But not all is well because Meg and Simon finally getting together rips apart the 1797 Club.

Simon feels the guilt of his betrayal of his friend the worst. Because this book makes it clear that both men are good and despite the pull toward a happy ending that the reader might want -- the feelings that Meg and Simon harbored for one another and failed to admit were a betrayal. Instead of discussing the issues, the two were willing to hide their feelings...but the feelings did exist. And the way that they are discovered hurt everyone involved. And the guilt from that -- his happiness coming as result of the humiliation and pain his friend encountered haunts Simon. As a result, he doesn't want to feel joy in his relationship with Meg. I found this conflict compelling and want to see how things are ultimately resolved (some of which will have to wait until later books because Simon and Graham still are broken as this book ends).

This book is all about the costs of happiness. I found this conflict to be original and I really enjoyed how it played out. I've been reading Jess Michaels for a while now and I think the complexity of her stories have been increasing and the deftness in which she constructs her characters and their conflicts have been making more and more of her books compelling reads for me.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book also introduces the conflict with Graham (Margaret's former fiance) which drives into the next book of the series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: HER FAVORITE DUKE is the second book in the 1797 Club series. The book can be read as a standalone although there are overlapping characters and there are overlapping storylines apart from the romance.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an 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.

The tug of war in Simon and Megs story was intense- along with their passion!!! Jess Michaels does a nice job creating complex and real characters- relatable even- charcters influenced by their past and the relationships between friends and family. Book 2 in this series did not disappoint. I enjoy that it is not just about Simon and Meg but pulls in the entire Duke's Club. Can't wait for book 3!


Reviewed on goodreads. Amazon, and barnes and noble (as lady c).

3.5 stars. This was a hard book to review because a) I liked the story and enjoyed reading it, and b) I had real difficulty with the behavior of the hero. When an author sets up the conflict of a book and it is the main issue of the story she must make readers genuinely believe that the conflict is real and serious. In this story our hero, Simon, has loved his best friend's sister, Meg, for years. She is also in love with him. So what's the problem? Her brother, in an effort to be super responsible, arranged for her to marry another one of their friends. When Simon and Meg are found in a compromising position (nothing happened) they are forced to wed. Sounds like a great solution, right? No! Simon feels so guilty about the change in circumstances that he just can't move forward with Meg. The reader is not given a great deal of insight into Simon's self-torture. It is not until the end of the book that I really understood what was bothering him. Plus, there was quite a bit of ruminating going on for large portions of the story. It was a likable book and a nice next installment in the series, but these issues really bothered me.

Her Favorite Duke is my favorite so far. Jess Michaels can write a wonderful historical romance that just keeps you hooked. As always you get a HEA and now I am awaiting the next in the series.

Publisher's Description:

Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood has been obsessed with Margaret Rylon for years. There is only one thing standing between them: her fiancé, who also happens to be his best friend. He is desperate not to destroy everything in his life by giving in to his desires, but when Meg and Simon are trapped alone together overnight during a storm, the resulting scandal not only breaks Meg’s existing engagement, but forces Simon to offer for her instead.

Margaret is sorry to have hurt her family and her fiancé, but all she’s ever wanted was Simon. Her determination to make a happy life with him is only heightened when they submit to passions that have long dwelled beneath the surface. But while Simon may give her his body, he withholds his heart out of guilt and fear of what a connection to her may expose.

And if he doesn’t learn to fight for her soon, they both may lose a chance at happiness.

My Thoughts::
This is book #2 of the 1797 club. I have read both books to date and have found both to be very good.
I always seem to enjoy the writing style of Jess Michaels.

I hate to start off my review by hating on the hero, but Simon has to be the most infuriatingly spineless hero ever..

Why does he ever let the woman he loves become promised to one of his best friends when said friend obviously has no interest in marrying the girl? He should have spoken up seven years ago at the beginning of this farce, but no he is ever the peacemaker and a decided wimp when it comes to taking charge and speaking up for what he wants.

Margaret on the other hand is obligated to follow the wants of her brother although she wants no part of this arrangement. She is after all in love with Simon and feels only a slight friendship for Graham, her betrothed.
Consequentially after a date is finally set she runs and is followed by her dearest friend and the man she has been in love with since she was fifteen years old. Because they are caught in a rainstorm and are obligated to seek shelter together in a cottage they cause a scandal which ends in a broken betrothal and a marriage in haste between Simon and Margaret even though nothing actually happened when they were caught together quite naked.
Will these two friends turned lovers make their marriage work or will it turn out badly because of Simon's guilt?
I gave this book 4 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization. Although I start out by hating the obvious faults of our hero, Jess Michaels writing is as good as ever.
I gave it a sensual rating of 4.5 of 5 flames. The physical encounters between our pair of friends turned lovers is sizzling.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this title which I have read and reviewed voluntarily.

... a puzzler!

The beginning of this episode of The 1797 Club has promise, although it raised questions. Engaged to the wrong Duke at a young age by her brother James to one of his best friends, Meg had to endure seven years of an engagement that had not one jot of romance. Her heart has always been Simon's. Simon returned the feelings silently. They are however the best of friends. When they are caught out overnight in a storm their life changes. Now is the time to seize the moment. After all Meg is compromised and Simon must step up to the plate. Which he does but instead of being relieved Simon mopes around feeling guilty for have betrayed a brother Duke. The beginning had promise, the last part dragged out a bit. The resolution was predictable. The puzzle? Why wait seven years, why punish yourself when you've gained the prize--the woman you've always loved, why try to destroy that by decrying the what is now? The answers are complicated but too slow in the coming.
Themes of love, betrayal and honor (alongside those steamy love scenes that hallmark Michael's novels) underpin all, but there's not enough oomph in the overall story to really grab your interest.

A NetGalley ARC
(June 2017)

This is a sensuous story of love not realized until it's almost too late…. The scandal that almost was. And a fabulous tale it is.
HER FAVORITE DUKE is the story of Simon and (Meg) Margaret. They have loved each other from afar since he was 19 and she 16 but the other never had a clue.

Book 2 in the 1797 Club series, it's every bit as engrossing as the first book. If you haven't read THE DARING DUKE do yourself a favor and do so.
It starts just where the first left off. We get to see a side of Megs mother we hadn't seen before. A glimpse of the emotional pain she's been dealing with for years.

It's the story of personal struggles, perceived betrayal and fighting for the one you love. It’s captivating, enthralling and will keep you engrossed to the very end.

Engaged to the wrong Duke at a young age by her brother James to one of his best friends, Meg had to endure seven years of an engagement that had not one jot of romance. Her heart has always been Simon's. Simon returned the feelings silently. They are however the best of friends. When they are caught out overnight in a storm their life changes. Now is the time to seize the moment. After all, Meg is compromised and Simon must step up to the plate. Which he does but instead of being relieved Simon mopes around feeling guilty for have betrayed a brother, Duke. The beginning had promise, the last part dragged out a bit. The resolution was predictable. The puzzle? Why wait seven years, why punish yourself when you've gained the prize--the woman you've always loved, why try to destroy that by decrying the what is now? The answers are complicated but too slow in the coming.
Themes of love, betrayal, and honor (alongside those steamy love scenes that hallmark Michael's novels) underpin all, but there's not enough oomph in the overall story to really grab your interest.

Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood has always loved Margaret Rylon, but she’s to marry his best friend. He decides is to not destroy everything in his life by giving in to his desires for Meg. Years ago Meg’s brother, James the Duke betrothed her to one of his best friends not knowing she was in secretly in love with his other best friend. Margaret does not want to hurt her family and her fiancé, but all she’s ever wanted was Simon. Simon and Margaret suffer in silence neither wanting to hurt anyone's feelings should they make their own feelings known. Caught out in a storm Simon and Margret are caught in a compromising position and a marriage soon follows. Simon feels he doesn’t deserve happiness, and Meg does not understand why outside of the bedroom Simon keeps pushing her away. At this point in the story someone needs to shake some sense into Simon before he loses the one woman he will ever love. Meg decides to take things into her own hands, she refuses to live a life with a man who withholds his heart out of guilt and fear of what a connection to her may expose. Once together Simon and Meg’s passion ignites between them, but is it enough to hold them together. Will they fight for their HEA!!!
A great book!!! I voluntarily read this book and this is my honest opinion

3.5 Stars as reviewed at Roses Are Blue

HER FAVORITE DUKE is Book Two in the 1797 Club series, which is about several dukes or heirs to dukedoms who formed this club and have strong bonds of friendship. In book one, we met James, who, upon coming into his title immediately engaged his young sister, Meg, to one of his closest friends, the Duke of Northfield. Even then I could tell that all was not well with this arranged betrothal.

Meg was just sixteen when her brother James became duke. His desire to protect Meg in case anything should happen to him led him to arrange her future marriage to Northfield, who is like a brother to him. While Northfield and Meg have no love or affection toward each other, they agree to the engagement, seeing how much it means to James. In truth, Meg has feelings for Simon, another of her brother's closest friends, who loves her in return, though neither openly expresses their emotions.

Meg and Northfield let the years pass, treating each other with courtesy, but their feelings never evolve into anything more than a mild friendship. Whenever Meg and Simon meet, though, it's a different story - they dance, they laugh, they talk and delight in each other's company. Neither is willing to verbalize the truth or take any steps to break the engagement that is so wrong. James begins more and more to push for a wedding date to be set, and finally Meg and Northfield agree.

As the wedding day draws closer, during a party at James's home, Meg becomes upset and leaves. Simon follows, wanting to comfort her, and they keep walking until an unexpected storm with unrelenting rain forces them to take shelter in a cottage. They finally kiss and get a taste of the passion that has been teasing them for years, but Simon's honor won't let him take things further. When they are found alone together, undressed, the truth doesn't matter - they are compromised. Now Simon and Meg must marry, something they both desperately wanted, so they should be ecstatic and on their way to happy ever after, but things are not so easy.

Instead of being relieved at not having to marry someone he doesn't love, Northfield is hurt, angry, humiliated, and feeling betrayed. His pride carries him through the announcement of the end of their engagement, then he leaves, apparently severing his friendship with both Simon and James, and causing the remaining members of the 1797 Club to choose sides. Simon is now buried under guilt and feeling undeserving of any happiness, putting his new marriage in jeopardy.

The elephant in the room is the fact that no one, though many noticed it, was willing to talk about the feelings between Meg and Simon. The club is a group of men as close as brothers. James is a loving and caring man who wants his sister to be happy. Northfield is willing to accept a loveless convenient marriage. Simon and Meg are burning for each other. Yet not one person broaches the subject with James that this engagement is a mistake. I realize that this is what obviously is the basis for this story, but it doesn't make sense. Even so, Jess Michaels wrote skillfully enough to pull me into the heartbreak and longing. She shows us why Simon was as passive as he was, though I never came to understand why Meg wouldn't talk to her brother. Northfield's reaction was very surprising, and I'm anticipating his story next, hoping that his friendships will be reconciled as he finds a genuine love. I feel that HER FAVORITE DUKE is an enjoyable and heart-tugging read that will have you rooting for this star-crossed couple to find their happiness.

Her Favorite Duke by Jess Michaels is a sizzling but sweet Regency Romance. While, this is #2 in the series, "The 1797 Club" it can be read as a stand alone. See, "Her Daring Duke", #1.

This is the story of Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood, Margaret Rylon (Meg) who has been friends since childhood,
James, Duke of Abernathe, Meg's brother and Graham, the Duke of Northfield, a other friend. Graham, James, and Simon are all part of the 1797 Club, however, Simon and Graham are the best of friends. Simon, has always been considered the peacemaker of the group, but in reality he appears a bit of a spineless coward, toward his feelings for Meg. Meg becomes betrothed to Graham, by her brother, James, none knowing her true feelings for Simon, oh, they suspect but go forward with there plans, anyway. To be honest James, suspects she just has a childhood infatuation for Simon.

Fast forward seven years later..... Meg and Graham finally set their wedding date. BTW Graham is not in love with Meg either. Simon guards his feelings for Meg until they're caught in a compromising position, the wedding is off, Meg and Simon must marry. Yay!! Simon guards his feelings toward Meg, for fear of getting hurt. But his friendship is ended between him and Graham.

An unusual story to me, how many men or ladies, in fact, wait seven years before setting a wedding date? The reader is given the impression Graham had no amorous affairs, what, for seven years? Unbelievable, to me, but I suppose it could happen. Then there's Meg, who does not reveal her true feeling, she's waiting for Simon to step forward, and announce his feelings toward her. Simon is sweet, but an utter coward when it comes to his feelings toward Meg. So, they'd all rather be misable for the rest of their lives, then tell the truth. Oh, Graham, is marrying Meg to yes, you got it, to please his friend James. They are all rather young, in their teens, Meg's sixteen, you understand their feelings run hot and cold, right?

While, this was not my favorite of Jess Michaels' story, it was rather a sweet story, once you get pass all the other stuff. It's a sizzling love story, with many complicated triangles.
A true love story with all the complications of a love triangle, while only two of them is truly in love. So, I guess, you wouldn't call it a love triangle. The reader does learn why Simon is so guarded with his feelings.

No cliffnanger, however, I was left with a few unanswered questions. Such as what happens to Graham, and Simon's hateful mother, the old Duchess of Crestwood.
The reader is given the impression, from the back of the book that, Graham's story is next, which, I anticipate reading.
Please don't get me wrong, I adore Ms. Michaels' stories, "Her Favorite Duke" was a bit hard connect to the characters and grip the plot, to me, however I'd still recommend reading it, especially those who enjoy romance, there is a bit of mystery to why Simon guards his feelings. A good read!
I received a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 4
Heat rating: Steamy/Sizzling
Reviewed by: AprilR