Kind of a hard story to review. I really liked Alex and his protective ways however I was a little put off by Patience. The story deals with a very hard subject, abusive relationships. I understood where Patience was coming from, I just thought it went on too long. Also, Alex really needed to be honest. The scene at the theater was terrific. Overall I thought the story was done quite well.

One of the things that I really like about Callie's writing is that she is able to evoke strong emotions about her characters.

Alex I absolutely loved. As a second son, he was treated horribly by his family. When he finally found love, it was ripped away from him so he decided to venture out on his own and make a life for himself. The choices that he made left him emotionally scarred but despite that he was determined to make the best of his situation and lead a good life. He had horrible male role models but still managed to treat others better than he was treated. He wasn't perfect but he really made an effort to protect others.

Alex and his friends made this book worth reading. I would love to read more about this loyal band of friends.

Patience really drove me up the wall. She knew how horrible some men treated women. She saw it first hand with her abusive father and her fiance. She prayed for years for her first love, Alex, to return and rescue her but when he actually did, she wasn't the least bit grateful. She was a drama queen. She wanted to be taken seriously but when she didn't get her way, she ran away and refused to listen. She made a fool of Alex in front of the staff and their friends, repeatedly and worst of all, she used his decency against him. We have all met women like Patience who create unnecessary drama in their lives and lives of those around them.

Fortunately, the long needed conversation was had which paved the way for these two to have an amicable life together.

I really would have liked to see Patience's father end up in debtors prison. That would have been hilarious.

I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

Publisher's Description:

Forbidden fruit never tasted so sweet...

Four years ago, Alex, a second son, had planned a life together with Lady Patience. However, when Patience was betrothed to his brother, the heir, Alex left his family’s estate and joined the military.

Alex returns to assume the title Duke of Bedford when his brother 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. She refuses to marry Alex just because he’s the duke, especially if he no longer loves her. How would that be better than what she has already endured? Promises made in their youth are not enough to overcome the changes life has wrought for them but love can grow and transform, if only Patience could believe that.

My Thoughts:

Callie Hutton has written a remarkable second chance romance with this newest addition to the Lords and Ladies in love series.

Alex and Patience fell in love four years ago, but when Patience is forced into a betrothal with Alex's older brother, the heir to the dukedom. Alex joins the military to get away from this unbearable situation.

Now after the death of his father and unexpected death of his older brother, Alex has inherited and returned to find that Patience never married.

They are most certainly not the same people that fell for each other four years ago.

Will they be able to overcome their differences and find happiness together or will the ravages of war that Alex continues to have nightmares about anf his bossy ways drive them apart?

I found the characters in this story endearing and memorable. Some of the characters I recognized from previous books in this series. Carry over characters just seem to enhance this story rather than take away from it.

Although it can be read as a standalone I think it is better reads as part of the series. They do not, however need to be read in order to be enjoyed.

I gave this book 4.25 of 5 stars for storyline and character development and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5 flames. There is a remarkably entertaining cat and mouse game carried on between our hero and heroine which lends a brief comical nature to the story

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Denying the Duke by Callie Hutton is a charming historical romance with interesting characters and angsty storyline. However, the conflict was very anticlimactic to me. The almost non existing problem wasn't really a problem and so about mid point the story fell stagnant. Not really any suspense or who done it, like I would have liked. I appreciate the opportunity to read the book and Thank Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I really enjoyed "Denying the Duke" by Callie Hutton. I'm not usually a huge fan of reunion stories, but this one was actually sweet and Alex and Patience definitely deserved their happy ending.
Patience and Alex met when she was a young sixteen and he a young twenty-one. As a second son, Alex has been ignored most of his life by his parents, they showered their favor on their eldest, Cyrus. Patience and Alex spend a few idyllic days together at his parents' estate and make plans for their future. Their happiness is destroyed when Patience is unhappily betrothed to Cyrus.
Alex leaves his family and Patience, when Cyrus dies four years later he returns to take up the dukedom. He believes Patience married Cyrus and is uncomfortable seeing her again and the possible children she may have had with Cyrus.
Patience never wanted to marry Cyrus and put off the wedding as long as possible. Patience is tired of men and their bullying and she believes she could be a spinster and live alone. Of course, her father won't accept that and wants her to try and win Alex back. But the war-hardened Alex who returned is not the Alex she fell in love with.
There is still plenty of chemistry and passion between Alex and Patience, but Alex has to work to win back her heart.
Little bit of suspense thrown in, but that felt a little incomplete for me. Alex's relationship with his mother felt incomplete as well. They needed a conversation or two between them.
Very nice book, really enjoyed the story line. There are a few passionate love scenes. I do wish Alex and Patience would have had a heart-to-heart talk, would have cleared up their some of their angst. But I would recommend this one to romance lovers.

In return for reading this ARC, I promised a fair and honest review. I have read other Callie Hutton books and so was looking forward to this one. Sorry to say that I was left a tad disappointed. The story, to me, seemed a bit disjointed. There was a flow that seemed to be missing.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book three in Calle Hutton. This book made me furious. Patience was just annoying I couldn't stand her. She just drove me nuts. The story was pretty well done but I just wanted more from her. She was just crazy!

This was a beautifully written story. Characters you will absolutely love, a villain who you can't help but hate, and a storyline made for a great read!

Callie Hutton never fails to bring to the pages characters that are entertaining to read. Ms Hutton is my go-to-author for historical romance for this reason. Another great read in the Lords And Ladies In Love series.
Review copy received from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley

It's an interesting story. I liked it. Patience and Alex fell in love when they were quite young but as soon as their love story started it ended too. Now after four years they're seeing each other again. Both have changed, life hasn't been good to either of them. One thing still remains though i.e. their mutual attraction. They can't seem to stop wanting each other. Although, physical attraction might not be enough for a happy marriage.
Patience has had it enough with over bearing men. Her father is the worst but Alex is no better. So she decides that she going to make sure that she doesn't become a door matt for him. Circumstances made it so that they have to get married. Alex needs a wife and wants to protect Patience from her father's abuse. And patience has no choice whatsoever. But she will make sure that her marriage is not like her parents'. She doesn't want to be a helpless woman anymore.
Alex doesn't know how to convince Patience that he will never hurt her. He tries but she seem to think the worst of him. So he will have to show her that he cares for her. Their marriage may not be a love marriage but it will also not be a marriage of convenience. Unfortunately danger lurks in the corners and Alex doesn't have time to make sure that Patience is on the same page as him. For now he must focus on protecting her from getting hurt. His past is still following him. Until the traitor, who threatens is wife, is brought to justice there isn't going to be any peace for him.
It's a cute story with a dash of realism. life isn't always easy, most times it turns out to be quite painful and not at all what we expect. Patience and Alex might get lucky and find their happiness in the end. Or may be their marriage is doomed from the start.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. I quite enjoyed reading it and would recommend to historical fiction fans. It's a well-written story with well-developed characters.

Lady Patience met and Lord Alex Pemberton, second son of the Duke of Bedford, when she was just sixteen and he was twenty. As sweet love blooms between them, Patience is horrified to learn that her father has bethrothed her to Alex's older brother and heir. The young love they harbored was torn apart and Alex leaves to join the military, knowing the woman he loves is forever gone from his life. Four years later, Alex learns his brother has died and he is now the Duke of Bedford. Patience and Alex are vastly different people now. Can they find a way back to each other?

This book deals with serious issues of abuse and PTSD. Ms. Hutton does a great job highlighting how helpless women were in the Regency period. They were either owned by their father or their husband without much choice in how they wanted to live their lives. I could feel the desperation of both Patience and her mother as her father's explosive anger lands on them and also the horrifying nightmares that plagued Alex from his time in war. There was a good subplot of a traitor to the Crown running around London, bent on revenge against Alex. That was interesting and kept the story moving forward. I really enjoyed this story and fans of Regency romance will definitely enjoy it as well.

I felt this story was well told and I was able to feel the emotions with the characters. There is drama, danger, and romance. Steamy tension! Worth the read with hopes of more on the way for these characters.

Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love #3)
by Callie Hutton

A definite buy book. I was really engrossed in the story. I went four stars for all of a sudden it stopped having action and went into the story with every day pace. That does not make it bad, I just wanted more action! I loved the plot, I enjoyed the characters and this author has a wonderful way of writing! I like the fact that I am totally compelled to keep reading each page and just enjoying it! I loved the way the characters seem so real but so weak or so strong at times. Life intrudes and makes you think of all that happened in historical times. This author has a wonderful way of imparting those times while keeping you entertained. I was given this book in return for an honest review. Anna Swedenmom

I have read a few books by Ms. Hutton and she does not disappoint in this novel. The plot was good and the characters are delightful. It deals with abusive relationships, physical and mental and how the characters are able to overcome them.
Lady Patience lives under the thumb of her father, afraid to speak her mind due to his abusiveness towards her and her mother. Four years ago, she fell in love with Alex, a second son. She could be herself with him. When it is announced she will marry his older brother, she is deeply troubled. Alex leaves for the army and any hopes of him rescuing her are dashed.
Alex returns from apprehending a traitor to assume his duties as the Duke of Bedford when his brother suddenly dies. He believes Patience is now widowed but is surprised to learn she did not marry his brother. He was ignored by his parents and his brother blamed everything on him. Alex has seen some terrible things and has nightmares from it. He assumes his roles, trying not to let his old feelings for Patience surface.
Patience's father needs her to marry Alex. However, she does not want to be controlled by any man and becomes more assertive. Alex wants Patience, but has gone about marriage the wrong way. Patience wants to make decisions for herself, something most women at this time would not do. They would give into their husbands and allow them to beat them.
When Alex sees something done to Patience that angers him, he declares that she has accepted his proposal, which angers her. She marries him, but refuses to give him her martial rights until he courts her. Alex has his own issues, when a traitor escapes and seeks revenge on him. He keeps the details from Patience and she cannot understand why Alex is acting the way he is. Alex wants to protect her, but is actually pushing her away. The situation escalates and Alex makes choices that greatly impact his relationship with Patience? Can Alex learn to trust Patience and have an equal partnership in their marriage? Will Patience be able to forgive Alex and understand his motives?

Alex and Patience are so cute together in the beginning. Young love but crushed by reality. Four years of trying to forget their puppy love they are thrust back together by Patience's scheming father and Patience's reluctance to consummate their union until properly wood while Alex is focused on a new role in life and catching a bad guy. So much going on.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. The story of Patience and Alex begins 4 years earlier, when they meet and fall in love. She agrees to wait for him, since he is a second son with few prospects. Unknown to them both, their fathers have arranged her marriage to Alex's older brother. When this is announced Alex leaves home and his grandfather purchases him a commission in the military. While gone, his father dies and then his brother, leaving the Dukedom to him. He returns home and finds that Patience had not yet married his brother. The book has suspense that is related to his military days that involves the kidnapping of Patience by a traitor. They eventually have the HEA. The book is well written and I would highly recommend it.