Her Favorite Duke

Book 2 of Jess Michael’s The 1797 Club features Margaret Rylon, sister to the Duke of Abernathe and Simon Greene, another duke in the club. Although the main characters of Book 2 were introduced in book 1, the second story can be read as a standalone. The poignant storyline contains a not-what-it-seems scandal, a guilt-ridden duke, broken friendships and a hasty wedding before love conquers all. Too much time is spent on Simon (the guilt-ridden duke) and his self-recriminations. Interactions between the two main characters include some pretty good dialog and several steamy scenes. It is still a decent read.

Having been a fan of Jess Michaels for quite a while, not to mention it has one of my favorite plot lines...forbidden love. Needless to say, I was excited to jump into this story! I only regret I have yet to read the other books in the series. I'll have to get on that.

So back to this story...The tale opens with the reader learning how our heroine Margaret is secretly pining for one of her brothers closest friends. Simon (soon to be Duke of Crestwood) shares the same feelings. But unfortunately, Simon is still young, and seeing as Margaret is still only 16....neither has made their feelings known.

Tsk tsk.

Margaret quickly finds out that her brother has arranged for her to marry his best friend. No, no, not our hero Simon, but his OTHER best friend. Who also happens to be Simon's friend as well.

Well damn. Talk about a sucky situation.

And so the years pass. The engagement moves forth and both Simon and Margaret suffer in silence. Neither wanting to hurt anyone's feelings should they make their own feelings known.

Now at this point in the story I was hooked. The torture. The angst. The drama of it all. I felt for these characters so much. Just make a move, damn it. And let me tell you, Jess Michaels really knows how to make you think this is it. This is the moment. Fireworks! But no. She lets us readers pine just a bit longer...

Soon enough Simon and Margaret find themselves stuck in a storm and need to find shelter. Cliche? Perhaps. But Michaels delivers it well enough. And besides, at that point I didn't give a fig how they found the right time to make their feelings known, just so long as they did.

At any rate we readers get our satisfaction. Simon and Margaret all but sing their feelings. However, everyone finds out these two were alone in a cabin seeking shelter. Barely clothed, mind you ;) Tensions are high, the engagement is called off, people are fuming and suddenly Margaret and Simon are to be married!

Yes!!!

No....

Simon can't seem to deal with the guilt that is plaguing him. Guilt over hurting his friend. Feeling as if he didn't deserve Margaret. This is the part of the story where I was a little disappointed. I felt Simons angst was dragging on. Yes, I understood it. You hurt your friend. But seriously man, you got her. You've wanted her forever. Snap out of it.

Alas, I do not want to ruin anything by telling what happens. But, did I enjoy the story? Absolutely. Did I want to shake some sense into Simon? Without a doubt. But his guilty conscience is also what made him such a lovable hero.

My rating: 4 stars

I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to love this! The first book was well done and made my mouth water for the forbidden romance between Meg and Simon. But ultimately, it didn't live up to the build-up it created. For one thing, the backstory we finally get about how Meg came to be betrothed to Graham makes this whole scenario a bit ridiculous. It also makes James look like a moron. He is oblivious to the misery Meg is in, and for a guy who is supposed to be so devoted to his sister, this seemed really odd. Also, Simon was way too wishy-washy. Poor Meg was like a yoyo being drawn in and then pushed away each time he got an attack of the conscience. I tend to highlight on my Kindle parts in red that I don't like and blue the parts that I do like. I have to say - it was basically all red.

I will definitely give this series another shot when Graham gets his book, but this one was a bust for me.

Book 2 in the 1797 Club is a worthy successor. It was clear in Book 1 that Meg and Simon were going to have to resolve their obvious obsession with each other. But Meg’s engagement to mutual friend Graham is a major obstacle to them both. One night together ensures that they will be married, but can they find their way to an honest loving relationship despite their having betrayed Graham?

Bring on Graham’s story, please!

A great read. Full of hot and steamy tension. A real page turner! I read it in one sitting. I also enjoyed the sneak peak to the next book. Great series to read.

Simon and Meg, and their supposed doomed love, was a nice reading and a good second installment to this new series, so I'm looking forward to read Graham's one, because he was on the other side of love.

Simon e Meg ed il loro amore condannato, mi hanno fornito una breve e piacevole lettura, inoltre come secondo volume di questa serie ha retto alle aspettative; ora aspetto di leggere la storia di Graham, che invece stava dall'altra parte.

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

The story would be a 5 star but Simon's woe is me/ I deserve their hate/Meg deserves more than me/ etc. etc. etc. I haven't read any of J. Michael's before and I will be looking forward to more, but even if this is the second of the series I fell right in and was pulled along with the all the emotions that kept popping up. Meg to me was a silent but strong women after her heart's been crushed a few times, she balled up and the hurt made her even stronger. Simon on the other hand was strong-ish in the beginning but his character was always the peacemaker and when the conflict happened he when more sulking childlike until something happens and he has to find his manhood and take back what he always wanted.

There is NO CHEATING, HEA and told from both sides. If you read Meg's brother James and Emma's story then you will read a lot about them since they play a big part in this story.

This story broke my heart. Simon suffers from what I can only imagine a lot of people in the past and present deal with – never good enough. Meg has also gone through this but decides that pulling herself up is the only way to live and she tries to help Simon but he resists. Finally, Simon sees the way with Meg’s patience and love. I love how Ms. Michaels’ writes strong women characters who never say never. As in all of Ms. Michaels’ books, families are an integral part of the story. Great story!

Meg and Simon have been in love with each other for years and it is by time that they get their turn at a passionate romance. Because Meg is or was engaged to one of her brother's closest friends she didn't have a chance to try something with her brother's other close friend, Simon. When a storm hits, lines are crossed and a scandal is boiling over so what else is there to do but wed. However, Simon feels to much guilt at betraying his friend's engagement to the woman he loves that he can't enjoy his marriage to Meg. They are so close to happiness but there is so much distance between them that is it a wonder if they will ever be truly together. This book has so much emotion and love. There is so much inner struggle for these two but it is all worth it in the end. It was a lovely read and I can't wait to see what is in store for ex-fiancé Graham.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. Loved the book. This is a story of rwo people who have cared or each other and later developed unto something stronger. Meg's brother arranges her marriage to one of his best friends Graham without Meg's knowledge. Over the years neither Meg nor Simon say anything. An unfortunate incident requires Meg and Simon to marry. As much as Simon wants Meg guilt over what happened could destroy their marriage. The love scenes are delicious and the book will not disappoint. I highly recommend this book.

I love a good historical romance and Ms. Michaels never fails to deliver that. Great plot. Loved the romance and the characters.

Omg wonderful story about finding love and what your willing to do to hold onto it. Simon and Margaret have loved each other secretly for a decade. But for everyone's sake they keep it to themselves knowing nothing can come of it but Simon and Margaret are caught in a compromising position and are forced to act quickly. Together they will admit their feelings to each other and overcome obstacles.

I ended up giving this book 4-stars, but if I had had to rate it on the first half or even a little more, I would have ended up with 2.5 or 3 stars. So, if you are reading it – know that the characters – particularly the hero – do get better in the last third, but the story line is good throughout. It is very well written and keeps you moving right through.

For the first third of the book both the hero and the heroine annoyed me royally. Then she got better but he still didn’t get better for a good while. So – here is what bugged me.

Meg is the sister of James, Duke of Abernathe and the hero of the first book in the series. She is extremely close to James and they have a very open and loving relationship – he would do anything to make her happy. Meg also has a very, very loving, close and open relationship with James’ new wife. Yet, when James betroths Meg without even asking her, she doesn’t protest and say she is in love with someone else – because she doesn’t want to hurt James. Say what!!!!! James would be totally miserable if she married someone and loved someone else – especially since he’s so in love with his own wife. She is engaged for eight years and never says anything. I find it hard to believe someone would ruin the rest of their life just to avoid a short term pain for someone else.

Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood is a member of the 1797 Club. The club was formed when an unusually large number of future dukes were at school and many of them had cruel, disinterested or uncaring families. They joined together to teach and help each other be better dukes and better people. They are like brothers – particularly Simon, Graham and James. Simon is in love with Meg and is shocked and hurt when James betroths Meg to Graham. Yet, Simon doesn’t say a word about caring for Meg – he doesn’t say anything to James and he doesn’t say anything to Graham. Wait – I thought they were very, very close.

Simon is portrayed as a peacemaker, but he really comes across as a spineless coward. He won’t stand up for himself nor will he fight for what he wants. That is what leads him to be caught in a compromising position with Meg and then they have to marry. So, he has hurt James, Graham and Meg because he was so spineless that he wouldn’t speak up. The, when he gets what he wants – he’s spineless again and wants to pay penance by not being happy. So again – he hurts Meg.

BTW – we do finally get a bit of an explanation for why he is a peacemaker – but still – the boy needed a backbone.

Meg has been in love with Simon since she was fifteen, but her brother betroths her to another without even asking. The groom doesn’t seem to be any more excited about the engagement than she is and they stay engaged for years. When they finally set the date for the wedding, Meg is caught in a compromising position with the man she’s loved all those years. Nothing happened, but in that time period – perception was everything.

Simon has to almost lose Meg before he finally gets it through his thick skull that some things are worth fighting for and that Meg is one of those things. It comes close, but they finally get their HEA.

I loved catching up with James and Emma and seeing their love blossoming (from the first book) and I look forward to Graham’s story in the next book. I didn’t care much for Graham in this book either – his reactions were just off the charts. Hopefully we’ll get a better for feel for the reason in his book.

"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."

Really enjoyed this second installment of the 1797 series, It's like brain candy. We knew this coupling was going to happen in the first book but I wasn't aware how it would play out,
I wasn't disappointed and I'm ready to read the third in the series.

A story of unrequited love, this is heartwrenching book was difficult to put down once I started reading it. I adored both the hero, Simon Greene, the Duke of Crestwood and the heroine, Lady Margaret Rylon. Their characters are complex, definitely not perfect but really well written. Simon's frustration about his circumstances and guilt over his betrayal are beautifully portrayed and really touch your heart. The sexual chemistry between Simon and Meg fairly scorches the pages and had been leading up to this book from the first novel, "The Daring Duke". I also enjoyed catching up on the secondary characters, James, Duke of Abernathy and Emma again in this book. My heart really went out to Graham but I am really excited for him to get his own story which is up next.

This is book two in the "A 1797 Club Novel" series and I would recommend reading it as part of the series for a deeper understanding of plot and characters.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

4 Stars

Would have been 5 stars but the hero drove me mad when he kept pushing Meg away, but other than that really enjoyed the story & seeing future heroes.

*Arc received from the Author & Publisher in return for an honest review*

*Review posted on GoodReads*

4.5 stars

If you read the previous book, The Daring Duke, you know that there was something between James, the Duke of Abernathe's sister, Lady Margret aka Meg and Simon, the Duke of Crestwood. These two shared a very close friendship and the longing between them was tangible. But Meg was betrothed to Graham, Duke of Northfield when she was only 16 and her brother inherited. While her heart longed for Simon, she accepted the betrothal to make her brother happy and hoped that she would learn to love Graham.

Simon was devastated when Meg was betrothed to Graham. He loved Meg and wanted to marry her, but he said nothing because he didn't want to cause problems with James and Graham. Next to Meg, the two men where his closest friends and like brothers to him.

Seven years have passed since the betrothal and time is running out for Meg, James has married and has been hinting that it is time for her to marry Graham and despite the time that has passed, she is still in love with Simon and feels nothing more than friendship for Graham. While at a house party, James and Emma are hosting, Graham asks her if she would like to marry in three months, she feels she has no choice. Their wedding date is announced and she is heartbroken, she secretly hoped that Simon would object and declare himself, but he said nothing.

Simon can't believe that Meg and Graham are finally going to marry - it feels like his life is over. When the Duke of Roseford finds Simon alone and suggests that Simon might want to take a holiday to get over his pain, Simon agrees, because there is no way he wants to watch his love marry another man. The next day he plans to say good-bye to Meg and then leave. But when he sees her and sees her pain, he wants nothing more than to comfort her. When Meg slips away from the party to clear her head, Simon follows. She wanders for almost an hour before Simon calls out to her. The weather has taken a turn and they are caught in a downpour. Too far from the house to make it back, they take shelter in the abandoned caretakers cottage.

Soaked and chilled to the bone, they start a fire and strip out of their wet clothes, when they agree to share the bed to keep warm and share a passionate kiss, Simon is disgusted with himself and leaves the room. The next morning he is awoken by voices outside and realizes that James and Graham have found them. Unfortunately, they are not alone, and when the group enters the cottage and find a naked Simon alone with an equally naked Meg - everything changes.

Graham is very angry with Simon and says some very hateful things, but he is gracious and agrees to stay long enough to see Simon and Meg's engagement announced and appear to support the marriage.

Simon cannot seem to forgive himself, he doesn't believe that he should get his heart's desire and hates himself for causing so much pain and scandal. As much as he loves Meg, he seem intent on punishing himself and in the process, hurts her as well.

Simon feels incredibly guilty and mourns the loss of his friendship with Graham, he refuses to let himself be happy with Meg and begins to shut her out. For her part, Meg tries to make their marriage work and tries to get Simon to put the past behind them, she is willing to fight for their happiness, until an unexpected visit and confession from Roseford, makes her realize that Simon will never forgive himself and she leaves him.

Simon is confronted by James the next day and when he learns that Meg has left him for good, he finally seems to snap out of the pity party he has been having since they were caught together. For the first time ever, Simon is ready to fight for what he wants and he wants Meg.

This story is so well done, it flows perfectly, has some very HOT love scenes, it is emotional and I never doubted for a moment that these two loved each other, but I confess, I was ready to smack Simon more than once. These two had a very painful journey to their HEA, but once they find it, the ending was worth all the agony this reader suffered!

This is the second book in the 1797 Club series, but there is enough backstory given that you could read this as a stand alone title with no problems. I highly recommend this series and am looking forward to reading Graham's story!!

I love the books by Jess Michaels and I've read quite a lot of them up to now.
This one is good as well but it didn't captivate me as much as the other books. My problem with this book was definitely that for a very very long time the hero and the heroine had no hope left. Sure, I had a certain idea that this book might end with an HEA but somewhere around the first third of the book I almost gave up hope as well that that would actually happen.
Somewhere around the middle of the book, I felt that, well, somehow, someone should please do something to make our hero Simon wake up. Alright, maybe I just wished for someone to kick him, hard, because...yup, just because.

Like all the other characters in Jess Michaels' books, Simon and Margaret are complex characters and getting to know them, you understand where Simon comes from and why it is so hard for him to fight for his happiness. Meg does also have to learn to stand up for herself and - let's just say that sometimes I was a bit frustrated and that I was starting to doubt that they would ever leave the somewhat turbulent beginnings behind them and just enjoy that their dreams may now may come true. At least their dreams might come true if they ever wake up...
Oh, I was frustrated with their friend (and Meg's former fiancé) Graham as well and don't get me started on Meg's brother James. Such a nice and well-meaning guy but -seriously? At sixteen? And without ever asking her what she wanted?

Despite everything though, I really enjoyed reading this book and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series that'll tell us more about Graham!

Loved "Her Favorite Duke." After reading the first book in the 1797 Club, James and Emma's story, I couldn't wait to find out how Meg would snag her preferred duke, Simon.
Meg and Simon are adorable together. They readily acknowledge they are best friends, but are hesitant to acknowledge their love for each other. There are a number of circumstances stacked against them, Meg has a fiance, Graham, who is one of Simon's best friends. They will have to face their challenges and overcome them if they ever want to find happiness.
Meg is tortured by her unrequited love for Simon, and he is as well. Meg has to choose whether to follow her heart or to follow the plan her brother made for her years ago. Simon is always there for her to laugh with, dance with and to be her friend. She is starting to realize that he is in love with her too, but Meg is starting to lose hope.
Simon loves Meg and has for years. He was very hurt when James betrothed her to Graham and felt like he couldn't stand in their way. He didn't want to betray either of his friends, but he realizes that in order to have Meg he will do almost anything.
Oh the explosive passion between these two! Whoo, set my Kindle on fire. It is very refreshing to read about a couple who wants to be together and isn't manipulating the other party and forcing the issue. Simon really struggled with his feelings. He loved his friends James and Graham, but he recognized that he loved Meg more.
Lots of steamy love scenes that worked very well into the story. Highly recommended and can be read as a stand alone, but why miss out on all of the yummy dukes in the 1797 Club???

This novel was a very good read. I read the first book in this series and look forward to reading the other members of the 1797 club, which was started by boys who would eventually become dukes. Each has their own past they must overcome.
Margaret Rylon, sister to the Duke of Abernathe, has been in love with Simon Greene, Duke of Crestwood since she was a girl. They were the best of friends and could talk about anything. Simon has also loved Meg for a decade. However, when Meg's brother becomes the duke after their father's death, he has her betrothed to Graham Everly, the Duke of Northfield. Both Simon and Meg are hurt by this, but neither tell James. Both have their reasons for not telling him.
When James asks Meg to set a date for the wedding years later, Meg is upset by this since he loves Simon. Simon is torn by this and plans to leave before Meg is married. When the to of them are caught in a compromising situation, they now have to marry. Simon feels he has betrayed his friends and cannot give himself completely to Meg due to the guilt he feels, even though she is the only woman he has ever wanted. Simon has never fought for anything, due to his upbringing and often tries to please everyone.
Even though Meg and Simon know they hurt many people, both of them want to be together and passion ignites between them. Still, Simon keeps holding himself back from Meg, which hurts her deeply. Simon feels so much guilt and it affects his relationship with Meg. When Meg can no longer handle Simon's distance, she leaves him. Will Simon come to his senses and be able to be the man willing to fight for her or will he continue his guilt and appeasing ways?