Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford is intrigued by the masked woman at the ball who in clear pursuit of his brother. When his brother signals for Langford, he does his duty and steps in to save him from her advances. Langford lets her know he is interested and it appears she is as well. Unfortunately, the lady refuses to reveal her name to him. Fortunately, they make plans for a liason.

Amanda Waverly needs to get into Langford's brother's home in order to get into the house next door. She must steal an item and barter it for her captive mother's freedom. She hates to use Langford as a pawn, but then again she does not. What Amanda is not counting on is Langford's doggedness at being with her. And, she is most surprised at her desire to be with him as well. Amanda must do her best to keep Langford from discovering her secrets. If he does, more could be at risk than her heart.

I am normally a big fan of author Madeline Hunter, but A DEVIL OF A DUKE was a little of a let-down for me. I just felt like there was something missing from the story. Langford seemed to have his emotions and heart more involved than Amanda. I never really warmed to her. Other than that, their story was entertaining. I definitely enjoyed their encounters. The passion was certainly there.

This just didn't work for me. Reasons:

1) I thought Gabriel was going to be reformed so I was disappointed because the only thing that changed about him was that he stopped sleeping around, fell in love, and got married.

2) The women just don’t get to have as much fun as the wealthy entitled male aristocrats. Dukes lounge around in their clubs and their main occupation is overlooking the massive finances they mainly inherited. Meanwhile the women are forming secret societies to reform men in society.

3) Amanda is never shown enjoying any sort of leisure time with the women in her life. She’s a single working woman who lives in a small apartment in a building shared with other tenants. Her best friend there is also a single working woman. I like that this book acknowledged that single working women existed and lived in Regency London. In most Regencies women seem to have no other options in life except marry a rich guy.

4) How could Amanda practice her acrobatic skills in her small apartment? Seems like a person would need to do some serious training in order to jump through windows from one building to another as well as climb walls. They would need to be physically fit, and unless Amanda has some sort of regular fitness regimen, I don’t know how she could have regained her skills so quickly. I had a hard time suspending my disbelief.

5) Amanda regularly throws fuel on the fire in her apartment because she’s poor and it’s damn cold at her place. But I have no idea what kind of fuel she is using. And I couldn’t figure it out from the context of the writing.

Plus, the Duke wasn’t particularly interesting. I was more interested in seeing how single working women lived and got through their days in Regency era England.

A well written story with twists and turns. Gabriel and Amanda work hard for their HEA even though they are as different as two people can be. I received an advance copy and I am voluntarily giving my review.

I received a free copy for a honest review. I like this book it was different than most. A devil of a Duke tells the story of a young woman who was a thief and the Duke who falls in with her. I like this book and I like how the two main characters fell in love organically. I would definitely recommend as a quick fun read.

Madeline Hunter is one of a few historical romance authors who I think write “mature” stories – not mature in the age of the characters, but mature in style and structure. Along with the likes of Mary Balogh, Hunter stands out because she creates a strong sense of the era, and writes characters who believably operate in that world.
This is the second book in a series, but can easily be read on its own. A Devil of a Duke develops steadily as our hero duke and thief heroine dance around each other and learn each other’s secrets.
I’m not usually a fan of heroines who come from a criminal background, as it’s usually presented as being a bit of fun and the books turn into anachronistic romps. This one is different because the seriousness of the situation is considered, and neither character approaches their affair as something that would ever work in society. The hero considers keeping the heroine as his mistress, and both acknowledge the huge gap in their social standings.
A favourite aspect of Hunter’s writing is the friendships. Both her male and female characters have strong connections with people of their own gender. The women support each other and have interests beyond marriage and men, and the men are SO aristocratic and have ties that go back years. It makes the stories more complete, and we get to see the whole of the Regency world in operation, instead of just ballrooms.
This is another solid historical romance from a reliable author.

Madeline Hunter is one of my favorite authors. She did not disappoint in her new book. In this book there were two different storylines going. The first one is the story between the hero,Gabriel and the heroine, Amanda. What I liked about the way she develops it, is that you see and feel the instant attraction between them but it isn't love at first sight. She develops the relationship, you see it grow and see them fall in love.
The second storyline is where Amanda needs help due to her past. Gabriel becomes her knight in shining armor, coming to her rescue.
I totally recommend this book. Even though it is the 2nd in a series, it is a stand alone.

Loved this story about a secretary named Amanda who was raised by parents of questionable moral standards. Amanda’s mother is in a bit of a bind and so Amanda must find a way to rescue her. Gabriel is a Duke known for his decadent behavior and has been attempting to “clean up his act”. Well, Amanda is probably not going to help him with that endeavor. These two are drawn together in a plot that involves burglary, blackmail, and blinding passion!
The story has a number of colorful characters including a footman who seeks adventure, a couple of dukes who are loyal to a fault, a rather naughty mama, and a group of ladies who are published reformers. It was a delightful afternoon and I highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical romance with all of the above. I do hope that one of those dukes has a story yet to come as I look forward to it.

You may have already met the Duke of Langford in the other Decadent Dukes Society series and Madeline Hunter gifts us with a enthralling story and a beautiful book cover...delivered like a present with a fancy bow ;)

The Duke of Langford is known as a scandalous rogue, who women find irresistable. *fans self*. He ends up at a ball because he is looking for a blackmailer and who just wants to hang out with his friends. He misses his other friend who recently got married, so this is a chance to spend some time together. Even though he wasn’t really looking for a woman, he meets a beautiful masked woman (Amanda Waverly), who does not reveal herself, but does let the Duke kiss her. Of course, they can’t stop thinking about each other. Since Amanda works as a secretary with a secret past, she does not harbor any fantasies of marrying the Duke. Amanda is not looking for romance because she has more pressing matters to tend to. Her mother has been kidnapped and Amanda feels that she must save her. Amanda has been running away from her past, but has found herself right back in it.

Amanda is a strong female character who has made her own way in Victorian England. I love all the female characters in this series because they are not afraid of being looked down upon by high society, they value reading and writing and have found creative ways to find their own paths in life. The detailed encounters between Amanda and Langford will have you rooting for them long before they realize a possible future for themselves.

The character and setting details are so thorough that you will feel like you are in Victorian England watching the romance unfold. There are elements of mystery, action and romance in this book. The dialogue flows between the characters in both poignant and humorous conversations. Hunter is one of my favorite authors and I always look forward to new releases. If you love historical romance, you will not be disappointed by this book. It should come with a warning label because you won’t stop reading until you are done. Oh, and a glass of wine will help you settle right in to this decadent story.

4 stars
I love Madeline Hunter's work. I admire her restraint and her way of creating some really wonderful characters.

This one started off slow, and delve into too many details and conversations that were not that exciting or substantial to the story, but the story picked up pace a third way into book. I really enjoy getting the hero Gabriel's POV and hearing his friends tease him a little. I'm not sure Gabriel came off as much like a rake as we expected.

I admire Amanda, her independence, and I am not sure I could fathom the risks she took for her mother. I also enjoy the story where we got to see a little of their happily ever after without actually having an epilogue (I do love epilogues and that is one thing I wish MH would consider more of).

Overall a steady story, but I can't say it blew me away or that it's my favourite of Hunter's work.

Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, and Amanda Waverly should never have crossed paths. Amanda is using skills she learned as a child to try to save her mother. Gabriel just happens to have access to a house she needs. This is a great cross between right and wrong, love and rejection, and high and low status. Hunter provides a nice mix of danger, tension, and interesting characters. I loved Gabriel as he worked through what he really wanted. Amanda was what he wanted and she knew they could never be together because of the difference in status. Very interesting plot, good character development and a well developed romance made for a hard to put down story.

I received a free copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This is an exciting and fascinating story of love, loyalty and intrigue. Gabriel is charismatic, sweet, determined and entertaining. Amanda I independent, caring, stubborn and brave. Gabriel finds himself completely captivated by a woman he saved his brother from. She's mysterious and unpredictable, and he can't forget the passion she inspires in him. Amanda needs Harry's help, and is dismayed when his brother interferes with her plan. Then she realizes that Gabriel will do just as well. She isn't expecting to be drawn to Gabriel, she knows that he could ruin everything, but she can't stop herself from returning to him. Circumstances require her meet with Gabriel once, but her heart requires she continue to meet with him. The storyline captured my attention on page one, it and the characters kept it until the last page. It's such a brilliant story, I highly recommend adding it to the top of your TBR list.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntary opinion of it.

~Reviewed by AnnMarie~~

A Devil of a Duke is the second book in the Decadent Dukes Society by Madeline Hunter. It can be read as a standalone story.

Miss Amanda Waverly was brought up by her parents, both thieves who taught her the trade. When she became too noticeable to be a good thief her mother sent her off to school and from there she had the opportunity to work for an eccentric woman as her secretary. She enjoyed not having to break the law and loved her much more pleasant life earning a living properly. Her newfound security came to a crashing halt though when her mother was kidnapped and demands came to Amanda to steal particular items to earn her mother’s release.

In the process of planning to get to one of the items, Amanda meets Gabriel St James the Duke of Langford. There is an immediate attraction between them, one that they both want to act on, but which they both know they shouldn’t for their own separate reasons. Amanda has the most important reason of all, of course, that he can’t find out about her past, or about her having to be a thief once again. Despite their reasoning, they do embark on a very passionate interlude. Will Langford discover her secrets and if he does will she end up hanging for them? Does she have any chance of rescuing her mother before that might come to fruition?

This was a real pleasure to read because it was suspenseful with the threat of Amanda’s mother being hurt or worse, plus the fear of Langford finding out Amanda’s truths. But also there was the budding romance between our hero and heroine, their lust for each other was very real, but it became very obvious that it was more than that for both of them. Waiting to find out just how Langford would deal with the things he was to discover kept me reading into the wee hours to find out. I wasn’t disappointed. The ending was wonderful, believable and left me with a smile on my face.

I only have one small negative thing to say about it which certainly doesn’t warrant any drop in rating. But please, please American authors don’t use the word ‘bring’ instead of ‘take’. For example US: I will BRING you home. UK: I will TAKE you home! It’s only a small thing but when you are reading a story set in Britain with British characters it is so wrong and off-putting when one or more characters say something Americanised.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers’ copy of this book

There was a lot going on in this book and none of it really caught my interest. It seemed far fetched and lazily done. I didn’t like that there wasn’t more backstory on either of the main characters although the duke may have had more backstory in the first book? It took me a while to get through this and none of the characters really appealed to me enough to want to read the next book in the series. I probably would have stopped half way if not for the fact that I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I may give this author another chance, but not with this series.

Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is infamous, debauchery all over town, but when he sees a lady at a masquerade ball flirting with his brother he takes action. Amanda Waverly is living two lives one respectable existence as secretary and the other as a thief and now battle of wit and willpower with the devilish Duke, Langford.
Gabriel is used to getting exactly what he wants and the mysterious lady is quite the challenge for him. Amanda is being blackmailed into resurrecting her old way of life and forced to steal items to rescue her mother. Amanda refuses to give Gabriel her name as she lures the Langford into her web of deceit and love as she uses him shamelessly at first to commit a theft and then passionately as her lover. Amanda and Gabriel’s banter and antics are so much fun to read. What happens when the Gabriel finds out she’s the thief and he either need to rescue her or let her go? This is my honest opinions after I voluntarily read a copy of this book that was provided to me with no requirements for a review.

Loved this book. It's captivating and entertaining. Kept me reading for hours. Madeline Hunter has a way with the written word. She's able to draw you in with the characters and keep you entranced until the end.

Amanda Waverly knows all the tricks to being a successful thief. After all, she was taught by the best -- her parents. Though they were of good family, they chose to make their living by stealing. While still young, Amanda realized that she wanted no part of this kind of life, so she was shipped off to school. Over the years, she rarely corresponds with her mother, and has no idea where her father is now. She has used her education to earn a respectable secretarial position with Lady Farnsworth, and hopes that her scandalous past is completely behind her. Just as she begins to enjoy her honest life, she receives word that her mother has been kidnapped, and will remain a hostage until Amanda steals some objects the unknown kidnapper requires as ransom. Though heartsick about it, Amanda agrees to the kidnapper's demands.

Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, has spent years living a carefree, rakish life. He recently surprised everyone by finally making a speech in the House of Lords, and becoming more involved in his government. He encounters Amanda, who is unsuccessfully trying to establish an acquaintance with his brother, Harry, whose house is next door to one she must rob. Though Harry is immune to her charms, Gabriel is intrigued, and issues an invitation for a rendezvous, which Amanda accepts. Her intention was only to use Gabriel to inadvertently aid her in her theft, but soon she becomes smitten with the handsome, charming, and very seductive duke.

Amanda and Gabriel begin a series of steamy and passionate encounters, which surprisingly leads to a genuine liking, respect, and camaraderie. Gabriel begins to desire Amanda to become his long term mistress, offering to buy her a house, and to support her. Amanda knows this is impossible. If she is caught, and her association with Gabriel is known, it would ruin him. My favorite scene from this book is one where Gabriel realizes they will have to part:

"I have taken care of myself for years, Gabriel. You are not to worry for me, although I love you all the more for it."
He lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. "Is that what this is, Amanda? Is that what we share? I know nothing about what it means to love a woman. I only know I am heartsick at the thought of losing you. I spend hours contemplating and calculating whether I can --"
"You cannot. I understand why you cannot. Hearing that you wished otherwise touches me deeply, however."
"I will miss you, Amanda. I will be distraught. Even the expectation of that loss pains me. I think I will be forever changed because I knew you."
"And I you, Gabriel. Loving you will always be the greatest experience of my life."

How I love both these characters! Gabriel fell hard, and though he was initially angry at learning what Amanda was about, he was still determined to protect her. Amanda worked hard to forge a new life for herself, and it was heartbreaking to see all her efforts lost because of her selfish mother. This couple belonged together, and their happy ever after well deserved. A DEVIL OF A DUKE is full of romance, passion, a bit of intrigue, a hero to die for, and a heroine who is his worthy match. Madeline Hunter has written another outstanding story, which flowed beautifully into a swoonworthy conclusion. A DEVIL OF A DUKE will take up residence on my keeper shelf.

A Devil of a Duke
Madeline Hunter
This was a fun Regency Period Romance Novel. I always really like Madeline Hunter books. I have read the first book in the series but it is not necessary to understand this book.

Gabriel St. James, Duke of Langford, is known for his charm and conquests with women. Shall we say a "Decadent Duke".

He became intrigued with Amanda at a masquerade ball that she was not invited to. Amanda was there for his brother who lived beside the house she needed to somehow get into to steal a priceless piece of antiquity. The Duke of Langord replaced her brother at the party and soon the sparks flew and trouble ensued.

This book had romance and mystery. Duke versus Secretary/thief. The Duke getting his comeuppance for all his public affairs.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book. It wasn't my favorite of Madeline Hunter's but it was still a very good fun read. You won't be disappointed if you purchase it.

I received an ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Madeline Hunter doesn't know how to do simple. Her stories are enduring, complicated, mesmerizing works of art. A Devil of a Duke is a tale of risk that seduces the heart, even as it stirs the soul. Amanda and Gabriel will have readers on the edge of their seats. What would you do for love?


She's fighting to escape her birthright...

Amanda was born into a family of thieves. Desperate to escape the family trade with the help of her mother, she set about rebuilding her life and striving for something better than the family legacy. Now a respectable woman, circumstances are pulling her back in to the world she fought to escape.


He's working to redeem himself...

Gabriel is a duke. He doesn't care about his reputation, but he does care about the welfare of his people. So when his title is called in question, he decides to try to do better. When he loses his heart and mind over a beautifully mysterious woman, is when his resolve starts to unravel. He has a choice to make and his heart is at the center of both.

Eh. I struggled with this book. It wasn’t bad necessarily, but it didn’t grab me. In fact, I had to push myself to get through it, largely because I didn’t connect with the characters or feel any real spark between them.

Amanda is a daughter of two thieves who is trying to make a respectable life for herself. She is serving as a lady’s secretary and is using her skills and her smarts to find success. Unfortunately, someone has kidnapped her mother and is now blackmailing Amanda into stealing stuff to keep her safe. First it was something in a museum… now it’s an object in a private collection. The owner of the house is out of town, but the only way she can access it is through the home next door… and she’ll seduce the man who lives there to get inside.

She approaches the young man at a masked ball, but his older brother, the Duke of Langford, intercedes. He is intrigued by her and ends up devising an assignation at his brother’s house… the very place Amanda is trying to get to. So they make out a bit, set up a meeting, and she manages to sing him to sleep so she can get to her real target and steal it. Eventually, he uncovers her real identity and perfidy, only to become a reluctant partner in her schemes so he can keep her safe.

It sounds like there might be some angst or some intrigue, but there really isn’t. The connection between Amanda and Langford is pretty insta and I didn’t even have a chance to feel any tension. They were all over each other, kissing, and then getting horizontal at breakneck speed. He essentially decided he wanted her without even knowing her and she succumbed to her attraction towards him over and over and over again. Even after he held her prisoner at his house… even when she should have been angry or scared or trying to find a way out of the situation she was in… he was just there and she figured, hey, one more time won’t hurt. (*sigh*)

This is the second in the Disgraced Dukes series and we do meet the other two and we’re told they are “the Disgraced Dukes” a few times to make sure we know, but this holds up fine as a standalone. The plot is pretty straightforward: track down Amanda’s mom and rescue her, while having a lot of sex along the way. Overwritten sex if I am being honest. I just wanted to feel something… a little angst, a little longing or passion or heck, even a flutter. I just didn’t believe there was a reason for these two to fall for one another, especially when the stakes were so high. And once they did, I just didn’t really care.

To be fair, lots of people love this author. I think her style just may not be for me.

Rating: C

Engrossing sensual historical romance

Madeline Hunter's second offering in her Decadent Dukes Society series is a very creative story. I love her books for many reasons one being the strong intelligent heroines. Amanda is a fine example of that and more. I felt moved as she struggles with her own moral compass. For a reportedly scandalous duke Gabriel has depths of character in his loyalty to his friends and family and his tender care of Amanda. Amanda and Gabriel's sensual entanglement and the mystery kept my attention for hours of reading pleasure. I look forward to the next book in this series.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.