This is an interesting story of finding love with the same person for the second time. There are elements to this story that made me fall in love with it, and elements of it that made me fall a little out of love with it.

I loved the romance that blossomed between Alex and Patience when they were young and free to choose it. The sweet interactions, and promises of love and a life together made them endearing to the reader. And then real life happened and Patience was suddenly forced into a betrothal with Alex's elder brother.

When Alex returns, having inherited a title that he felt ill-prepared to assume, he learns that Patience did not in fact marry his brother. However, she is still being kept under the thumb of her tyrannical father who thinks only of himself. Patience learns that there is little left of the old Alex, the horrors of war and the things he has done as a soldier weighing heavily upon his mind.

Despite all of the things against them, they resume their tentative friendship, learning that there is still a spark of their old love between them. Just in time for Patience's father to announce he has now promised her hand in marriage to a "much older" man who by all accounts is painted as something of a jerk. Alex steps in and does the only thing he can think of - he announces that they are to be married, even though he asked her and she gave him a solid denial.

It was after they were married that I feel this story started losing some of its initial spark that drew me in.

While I can understand Patience's displeasure at having been forced into a marriage with Alex, I would have thought she would on some level, been grateful that he did step in and save her from the marriage her father had once again arranged without her consent. I agree that she had every right to demand to be courted before she allowed Alex into her bed, but I do not believe she had to be so childish about it. Allowing him certain liberties one minute, then denying him the next. It is along these lines that I also found a level of annoyance with Alex. I can understand him wanting to protect Patience and keep her safe, but on some level, he had to have the common sense to know that she would not approve of his methods and that sooner or later his resolution to keep her in the dark could eventually aid his enemy in getting to her. Which brings me to my last point, and the absolute temper tantrum Patience throws, going so far as to leave her husband and refuse to see him or give him a chance for simply doing what he had to do in order to save his own life.

Overall, I believe this story will still appeal to those who enjoy historical romances. I would read more from this author!

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

A story of young lost love, an abusive father, her life torn apart. Then Alex comes back, bringing hope, love, joy, and danger with him! I highly recommend! Thanks! Enjoy!
carolintallahassee 👒

Lady Patience meet and feel in love with Lord Alex Pemberton, the second son of the Duke of Bedford. Little did Patience know her father was betrothing her to his cruel brother Cyrus. Lord Alex decided to go into the army than stay and watch his brother marry the woman he loved and hopefully he’ll forget the woman that his heart belonged to.
Now four years later Alex returns home after his brother the Duke has died expecting to be confronted by his widow Patience, but to his surprise they have never married due to certain circumstances. Patience remembers the young man she fell in love with, but is he the same man. Both Alex and Patience have changed and have hurt feelings, but can they move past the hurt and anger to find the lost love they shared. Alex's past intrudes and an old enemy abducts Patience and the race is on for Alex to safe the woman who he has always loved. A great book filled with romance, adventure and a HEA if they have the courage to love again.
I voluntarily read the ARC copy from Net Galley and this is my honest opinion and review.

Lord Alexander Pemberton is the second son, the spare, to the Duke of Bedford. He has always been pushed aside by the Duke and bullied by his older brother.
Lady Patience Browning is just sixteen when her family pays a visit to the Duke if Bedford's estate. She immediately makes friends with the younger son, not realizing her fathers plans.
When the betrothal announcement is made Alexander's life will change forever.
The men of that time had a terrible habit of treating their women like brainless twits. It can cost them more than they could ever imagine.
A lovely romance with a good dose of intrigue and characters who have a lot of growing to do.
This is the first in a new series and I can't wait to read the rest.

Denying the Duke’s romance between Alex and Patience found them making a quick, unexpected connection when Patience was only sixteen and Alex just twenty-one. They were/are both victims of bullying by family members, which had nothing to do with their early connection, but contributed to their desire to be careful when provided a second chance.

Alex, the second son, becomes duke after the unexpected, early death of his brother. Alex is everything his brother was not - kind, considerate, compassionate and honest. Patience was of a similar personality. Alex was bullied by his brother and ignored by his parents. Patience was physically and emotionally mistreated by her father and unprotected by her mother.

They met young when Patience’s family went to visit Alex’s family. Neither knew it was for the purpose of Patience to become betrothed to Alex’s older brother, the future duke. Alex and Patience were both broken heated when the betrothal was announced. Alex left and never looked back. Four years later, once his brother passes, Patience’s father insists to both of them they marry. He is desperate for funds that would come from the alliance.

Callie Hutton built not only a sweet romance, but one of two people who still had a connection and wanted to be sure of that continued connection. Where Patience never stopped thinking about Alex, he did his best to put her from his mind and heart during his difficult military time away. Alex made himself think of her as his brother’s wife, never knowing she did not marry his brother.

This is a charming, lighthearted addition to Hutton’s Lords and Ladies series that truly explores the gentleness and trust developed in love. Denying the Duke is a stand-alone book that can be ready without needing to read the previous books. You will fall in love with Alex and Patience as they each learn the importance of love, trust and communication!

Really like historical books. Imaging what the time was like and if the events could happen the way the author envisions makes entertaining reading. Liked the story flow and the characters. Would recommend reading!

lady patience has been bullied and ordered about without fail by her father, by the fiancé she never wanted, and finally by lord alexander, the new duke of beresford. the man she fell in love with when she was but sixteen and who left her behind when she was forced into a betrothal with his brother. she spends a lot of time out of control of her own life in denying the duke.

when alex left he assumed that his brother, cyrus, would marry patience quickly. but on his return to his estate after his brother's death and four years in the military under his belt, he finds that nothing is what he thought it would be. as much as he would like to pick up where they left off, too many things have happened to them separately that it's impossible to recapture the five-day idyll when they first fell in love.

but the spark between them is still there. and maybe they aren't the same young fools in love, but there's a chance that they could find a richer, deeper sort of love together. the problem is that they are forever not communicating with each other and making assumptions about how the other person is feeling. all they need is to be locked together in a room and to not just talk but listen to each other. because the love they discovered four years earlier is still there. (and when you think about it, it does make total sense that they are complete idiots in love, she's only just twenty and he's twenty-five, sure that passed for adult in the regency era, but they're kids. i mean, alex wears a mustache to look older. they're kids. this was an enjoyable regency, and even though part of a series, it totally stands alone.

**denying the duke will publish on july 10, 2017. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (scandalous) in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun read!!! I love second chance romances!! There was passion, a strong heroine, danger, and denial. I fell in love with Patience and her struggles of being a woman in this time period. Callie did such a good job developing her inner dilemmas! Check out this book!!!


Posting on good reads, amazon, and bn (lady c)

Four years ago the hopes and plans Alex and Patience had for a future together were shattered when they learned that their fathers announced that Patience was to be betrothed to Alex’s brother Cyrus, heir to the dukedom. Devastated, Alex convinced his grandfather to buy him a commission in the army. He spent three years on the continent in war. He spent the last year in America chasing and capturing a traitor (who managed to escape shortly after he was turned over to authorities). Just before his return to England, he received word that his father and brother had died, Cyrus recently in rather scandalous circumstances, and that he was now the duke.

Upon his arrival back home, Alex discovers that Cyrus and Patience never married. He is pleased, but doesn’t know what that means for him and Patience. Almost immediately the Earl of Wilton begins to push Alex to marry Patience. The couple still cares for each other, but both have changed and would like some time to get to know each other again. Alex would like to learn to handle his duties and responsibilities as Duke, before they take a permanent step. Patience wants to be free of her abusive tyrant of a father. She simply wants someone to love her for herself. Is it possible these two will find in each other what they need to be happy? It looks a little doubtful for a while.

Denying the Duke has an interesting, slightly complicated plot that unfolds as the hero and heroine take a long ride on an emotional roller coaster. There are secrets, plots, betrayal, mystery, kidnapping, a little bit of humor, and of course, romance. Alex is plagued by nightmares of the war and filled with uncertainty about his new life. Patience does come across as immature, but that can be contributed to the abusive life she has had. She has never had a chance to experience life and grow up. There is a lot for Alex and Patience to work out. Alex’s friends and Patience’s cousin are wonderful characters who are there to help them find their way. All in all, an entertaining read that holds your attention from beginning to end.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. I voluntarily reviewed it and the comments are my own.

Alex and Patience fell in love when Patience was at his home where unknown to the young lovers she was betrothed to his older brother the heir to the dukedom Cyrus.
That's when Alex left joined to fight the war and hopefully forget the woman that his heart belonged to.
Cyrus a cruel man died before the marriage took place, Alex is now the Duke of Bedford. Not ready to face the woman who had haunted his dreams he ignores her at the funeral. Fortunately for Alex and Patience they still have a chance to have the love they were denied. Alex has demons that he fights because of what he witnessed in the war and Patience has an abusive father to deal with.
Just when things seem to be working a traitor from Alex's past abducts Patience and the race is on for Alex to safe the woman who he has always loved.
An excellent story a roller coaster ride that keeps you turning the pages.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest unbiased opinion

Callie Hutton always pens a great novel, and this story is no exception. I loved the spirit, strength and determination Patience had in refusing to be bullied by the men in her life. Here is a heroine I can stand up and cheer for! Alex was a heartwarming character that only want to show Patience that not all men are brutes and bullies. He wants to protects her, cherish her, love her and gain her trust. This was a beautiful tale about second chances and holding out for the one thing that matters most: LOVE.

*I received a complimentary ARC of this book from NetGalley & Entangled Publishing, LLC in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so

Bedfordshire, England - 1814

Lord Alexander (Alex) Pemberton, age 21, is the second son of the Sixth Duke of Bedford of Woburn Abbey. Alex’s older brother, Cyrus, the Marquess of Tavistock and heir to the Bedford Dukedom and his father have both never cared for Alex and simply tolerate his existence as “the spare.”

Just down from university, Alex sees guests arriving and goes to meet them. A lovely young girl, Lady Patience Browning, age 16, is visiting with her parents. Patience knows she is a disappointment to her father because she is an old child and he has no heir. In addition, he beats her and her mother, so they simply tries to avoid him. During the visit to the Abbey, Alex and Patience spend time together enjoying one another’s company. Falling in love, they agree to wait for three years for her to come of age and for him to earn enough money to support her. But her mother soon bursts her bubble f happiness when she tells her that the families have arranged a betrothal between her and Cyrus, the Marquess. She warns Patience now to cross her father.

Woburn Abbey - 1818

Alex has returned home after spending four years in the military. His father has passed away and his brother, Cyrus, has just died as well. Now, Alex is the Eighth Duke of Bedford. It appears that Cyrus and Patience never married and now her father is demanding that she marry Alex. But Patience is tired of men pushing her to do things because they will benefit in some way! She simply wants someone to love her for herself.

Is there a way that Alex and Patience can rekindle the love they once shared without other people telling her how to live her life?

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

'Denying the Duke' by Callie Hutton is Book Three in the "Lords and Ladies in Love" series. This is the story of Patience and Alex. I have read the previous books in this series but feel this can be a standalone book.
Patience and Alex met when she was 16 and he was 21 and fell quickly into young Love. They made promise to each other that they would be together in three years. Alex is the second son of a Duke and needed to start a life and make he own way in the world. So he asked that Patience wait for him for three years until he can settle enough money to take a wife. But, Alex later learned at dinner that night Patience hand in marriage would be given to his older brother. Patience too learned after that promise to Alex that her father had planned all along to marry her to the oldest son. Alex up and left that night of the dinner never to talk to Patience again until 4 years later when Alex returns to take of the Title of Duke after his brother's death. Only then after returning does he learn that Patience never married his brother. But he has changed greatly from the young man he was to a more jaded person today. Along with Patience who was once a innocent carefree girl who at one time her father all but ignored. But after her refusal to marry Alex's older brother her father and his brother made her life terrible. Alex and Patience learn that the once brothel between her and the older brother now might have to be met with Alex and her. Both are shocked at the information. Can they use the feelings they once had to move forward past the hurt and anger that they have lived through.?
Wow this book takes you in with just the first few pages of their young love. I didn't want to put this book down at all!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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Denying the Duke, by Callie Hutton is a historical regency romance, as well as the third book in the Lords and Ladies in Love series.

As the second son to a duke, Lord Alexander Pemberton was treated with disregard by his parents and scorn by his older heir brother. Alex never envied his brother, until it was announced that his brother was betrothed to Lady Patience Browning...the woman Alex loved.

Four years later, Alex returns home after the death of his brother and discovers that Lady Patience Browning is still single. After years apart, family interference, and numerous misunderstandings, Alex and Patience attempt to reconcile their youthful time together with who they are today, despite the continual hindrances to their new relationship.

Denying the Duke is geared towards those who prefer reading historical regency romances.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I started out really liking this book. But Patience, the heroine in this book, becomes very immature and unreasonable the further into the story you go. For example, when her father tells her he has arranged for her to marry a 60 year old earl, and Alex ( the hero in this book) streps in to save the day by saying she had already agreed to marry him, she throws a tantrum. She refuses to marry him because he doesn't ask properly. As i said, this book had so much potential, but i thought it lost its way. All in all, i still did enjoy it.

This book was good. Alex wss a little overbearing for my taste. I could relate to Patience's exasperation but it was a good read!

Enjoyed this story of the lovely Patience and Alex, first loves, separated by circumstance, and machinations of their parents. He left and joined the military, leaving her to face her fate as a bride to his elder brother. Four years later he returned to bury his brother and finds they never married. Do they resume their young relationship or do they part?

Oh, to be young and naive. Patience and Alex thought love would be enough, but there were other plans at play. Callie Hutton never heads in the direction, I think she'll go. From heartache to tempting fate, she keeps her thoughts close to the vest and keeps readers guessing what's going to happen next. Denying The Duke plunders through a war, betrayal and heartache to create a courageous tale of love's power and life's hope. With the heart involved. ease is never to be expected only hoped for.

4.25 stars
Four years ago, Alex Pemberton, second son of the Duke of Bedford, had planned a life together with Lady Patience Browning daughter of the Earl of Wilton. However, when their fathers announced Patience was to be betrothed to his brother Cyrus, the heir, Alex left his family's estate and joined the military.
Alex returns to assume the title Duke of Bedford when Cyrus unexpectedly dies. He is unprepared for both his new responsibilities and the reunion with Patience. The horrors of war are a heavy burden, and when he learns that Patience never married his brother, he is stunned.
Patience withstood the bullying of her fiancé and her father for four long years. The Earl of Wilton wants Patience to now marry Alex but she refuses just because he's the duke, especially if he no longer loves her.
A well written page turning book, the conversations & interactions between Alex & Patience are delightful, their marriage of convenience had me laughing. A very good story of second chances, an escaped traitor all add to the mix. The characters are well portrayed & I hope Alex’s three friends have their stories. Alex is used to being an army officer & treats Patience as though she was one of his men at times, at other times he’s overly protective. Patience has been bullied & wants Alex to treat her as his partner, whilst she’s quite a strong character she does dissolve into tears a lot. I thoroughly enjoyed the book & will certainly read more by the author. The only criticism I have is Alex Pemberton became Duke of Bedford with principal seat at Woburn Abbey, the real Dukes’ of Bedford principal seat is Woburn but they are the Russell family, so why wasn’t Alex a Russell when his grandfather was?