Paul Barstowe did some very bad things in his past. He got into trouble to gain the attention of his neglectful and abusive father. He continued until his repulsive behavior cost him his friends. When his brother died, he promised Robbie that he would reform. He would become a responsible duke and a better man.

Lady Daphne Hallworth has loved Paul since she was a child, but due to his behavior toward members of her family, they hate him. She doesn’t, but she is loyal to her family.

What happens when circumstances bring the two of them together for Christmas? They have a great adventure, get to know each other, and fall in love. They know how the family feels and that they cannot be together, but they will keep each other company through Christmas. Who knows what will happen after that.

This story was interesting and emotional. It kept my attention from start to finish. The search for Daphne’s missing journal was intense, but their visits to the Reynolds were humorous. Daphne and Paul were wonderful characters. They had much in common. Their responses to the grief they felt at the loss of a sibling were different, but resulted in a desire in both of them to help others like Robbie and Alice. Pembroke and Sommerton rejected Paul and his attempts to make peace with them and regain their friendship. The ladies of the family were not so stubborn, and one of the children offered him friendship (and a kitten). His father who had always treated him badly, sent one more devastating surprise from the grave, one from which he might not recover. It will end his chance at acceptance and a life with Daphne, but it gives him a means to retrieve her journal from the nasty piece of work determined to use it to ruin the author. What happens next? It’s not what he or the reader expected. Don’t you love surprises? I enjoyed and recommend The Good, The Bad, and The Duke.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The review and opinions are my own.

I was thrilled when I found out that there was another book in the Cavensham Heiresses series! I had reviewed book 3 (The Luck of the Bride) and couldn’t wait to see what happened next. The Good, the Bad, and the Duke did not disappoint. I had gone back to read the first books in the series and really didn’t like Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, but after reading this book I’ve changed my opinion. He really was in a tough place and wanted to make something of himself. With Daphne’s help and love he can become the man that he wanted to be. Looks like there’s another book slated for 2019, and it’s William’s story!!

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The story opens with Lady Daphne Hallworth is in a death defying battle for an innocent life. She is nine and she is protecting a baby magpie against her brother's cat and she refuses to give quarter. Lord Paul Barstowe, second son of the Duke of Southart, stops and helps her. It's Christmastide and everyone is getting ready to go to the country to celebrate and spend time with their families. Daphne goes upstairs to change , one of the children had soiled her dress. When she came back down, She found no one. She was alone except for the under butler, Tait. She had become invisible and no one realized that she was not with them. Needless to say, she was deeply hurt. From here all kinds of things happen, burning buildings, stolen journals and the reticule it was in and other mishaps.
I thought this was a delightful tale full of misconceptions, and confusion. The characters were delightful and at times so full of anger. Poor Paul can not take any more of the his father's hatred for him and his father is in his grave. But he always still manages to make his life a misery. I thought the author did a wonderful job of keeping things straight. She wrote an excellent book, and it moved smoothly thru the mishaps. I enjoyed it from start to finish and was hard pressed to put it down. I especially enjoyed reading about the battle, it was so cute and funny. I would highly recommend her book.

I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it and loved it.

A lady with a noble mission. A duke looking for redemption. A forbidden love that cannot be denied, in The Good, The Bad, and The Duke by Janna MacGregor..

I have read other books by Janna MacGregor but none of them were as enjoyable as this one.
Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready to celebrate the holidays with her family. But then they accidentally leave her home alone, She has recently located a piece of property that is just right for the unwed mother's home she intends to start.
Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal He agrees to help her recover her stolen diary with contents that could possibly ruin them all and Daphne will endeavor to change her families opinion of Paul.
I knew from the prologue that Daphne and Paul were meant for each other. This scrappy little hoyden who starts the story out trying to save a baby bird from a very mischievous and hungry cat had just won my heart and possibly Paul's in the process.
The cover drew my attention and I just knew I had to read this book.
The characters are very well thought out and the storyline which starts like a Home Alone scenario soon develops into a well written romance that draws you in and just won't let go.
I gave this sexy and compelling book 4.85 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization. It is also a very sexy story with heated intimacy.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book by invitation to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed this long-awaited addition to the Cavensham Heiresses series. It is well written (though a might wordy), well plotted and the characters were very likable and relatable. I particularly enjoyed seeing Paul’s redemption because he had been the villain in past books and it always appeared there was more to the story than was revealed at the time. Now, we know all. There is a lot going on in the book, but it is all easy to follow.

I loved the prologue showing a childhood interaction between our hero and heroine. It does more to show the true characters of the H/h than anything else in the book. It takes place at Pemhill, the ancestral estate of the Marquess of Pembrooke – which is the home of our heroine.

Lady Daphne Hallworth has trained herself to be all that is prim, proper and acceptable to society since the death of her beloved sister and best friend, Alice. Her family hasn’t dealt well with Alice’s death and Daphne doesn’t want to cause them more stress and strife – therefore, she tamps down all of her natural instincts – those we met and loved in the Prologue. She’s tamped them down so well that she has basically become invisible. All of that means that she was not surprised when she was forgotten, left home alone when the entire family left London for their country estate. Luckily, the under-butler, Liam, hadn’t left for his Christmas leave, so she wasn’t totally alone. Liam brought his mother back to cook for them and together, they cared for Daphne during the Christmas holiday.

Daphne left home to visit with her solicitor and see what progress he had made on finding a property for her charity that is to support unwed mothers. When she arrived, she found that his offices were closed, so she went to a park near her home and began writing in her journal. That journal contained some very, very, personal entries – some fantasy, some real, but all capable of causing scandal, pain, and ruin to her family and herself. So, when a street urchin approached her and stole her reticule with the journal in it – she was truly stunned, upset and determined to chase him down and get the journal back. She chased him all the way to the door of a notorious gaming hell – where she was denied entry.

Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart, had a cold, abusive childhood. His father took great delight in beating him, berating him, and belittling him. Paul never understood why because he didn’t behave the same way with Paul’s older brother, Robert. Luckily, Paul wasn’t without love because both his brother and his mother loved him unconditionally. However, that didn’t keep Paul’s self-esteem from being non-existent nor did it keep Paul from doing whatever he could (including acting out) to gain his father’s attention. Robert was the heir, but he was sickly with rheumatic fever, leftover from a severe bout of scarlet fever. Sadly, he didn’t survive and that devastated Paul, who was then the heir. The highlight of his childhood was his close friendship with Alex Hallworth – they were as close as brothers. Because of Paul’s behavior, he’d ruined that friendship and desperately wanted to make amends with Alex. He just doesn’t know how.

Paul has made every effort to turn his life around and to restore his reputation and he has gone a long way toward doing that. He has quit gambling, drinking and womanizing and has concentrated on his role in parliament and establishing a charity in his deceased brother’s honor.

Paul is absolutely shocked to see Daphne at the entry of the Reynolds gaming hell. She seems determined to gain entry and is forcefully arguing with the majordomo. Paul knows that if she is recognized, she’ll be ruined, so he approaches to rescue her.

Finally, Daphne tells Paul about her journal and the street urchin robbing her. Paul agrees to help her retrieve the journal, but wants her to stay home and let him find it. Daphne, however, has decided that she will no longer be the invisible woman she had let herself become. She is determined to assist with the search and retrieval. They forge an agreement where he’ll help her find the journal and she’ll help him bridge the rift with her brother Alex. Then – all of the wonderful, exciting, and interesting adventures begin. You’ll just have to read the book to see them all.

I absolutely loved seeing these two find their HEA. Daphne couldn’t have been a better heroine. Once she settled her mind that Paul was ‘the one’, she never wavered, never doubted and boldly moved forward toward what she wanted. Paul was a wonderful if self-doubting, self-loathing, hero who had to come to terms with the fact that he loved Daphne and she loved him in return. It wasn’t an easy journey for Paul, but I loved how he got there.

I enjoyed this story and hope you will as well.

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"I requested and received this e-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."

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke was a wonderful read featuring a forbidden romance, a stolen diary, and the chance of forgiveness for our hero.

Lady Daphne Hallworth is ready for the Christmas season with her family, but when she’s inadvertently left behind, she decides to use the time to work on her home for unwed mothers. One day on her was to see her solicitor, her personal diary containing damning information is stolen. Then she finds out the property she bid on for her charity has a higher bid from her brother’s former best friend, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. Daphne decides to strike a bargain with the man to help retrieve her diary and gain the property she seeks. In return, Daphne will help Paul fix his relationship with her family. Neither of them counted on the swift attraction between them which ups the stakes to accomplish their goals.

Following the death of her sister Daphne has strived to be the perfect daughter but as a result she became invisible, both in society and within her own family. Daphne has things she wants out of life and after receiving an inheritance she’s able to make one of those dreams, a home for unwed mothers, a reality. I admired Daphne’s determination to make her charity succeed and that she refused to give up despite the resistance to her plans.

I have to admit I was surprised that Paul was the hero in this installment as I wasn’t sure he could be redeemed after his behavior in earlier books. I’m happy that I was wrong and that we got to learn more of Paul’s history which offered insight into his earlier behavior. Paul was never shown any love by his father and the animosity in their relationship led to Paul acting out which was one of the only ways his father paid any attention to him.

Daphne and Paul’s relationship isn’t easily won due to the animosity Daphne’s family, in particular her brother and step-brother, feels for Paul. Before Daphne’s family return after leaving her behind for Christmas, their relationship is a lot smoother as there’s no one trying to push their way in. I liked the rapport that developed between them in those days and enjoyed their opening up to one another. The physical progression of their relationship was well done and the two had amazing chemistry. The physical scenes were perfectly steamy with just the right frequency throughout the book.

The plot centered around recovering Daphne’s diary was interesting and I found myself eager to learn if the pair would find the diary before the contents were made public. I really enjoyed how this plot point was wrapped up even if there was a bit of unbelievability to some aspects of it. The mending of Paul’s relationship with Pembrooke and Somerton was well done and I liked that it wasn’t easily accomplished. Couples from the prior books returned and I was happy to see the characters again as I love getting glimpses of couples after their happily ever afters.

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke ended up being a very enjoyable read and is a solid addition to the series. I’m looking forward to the fifth book’s release next year and would definitely recommend this series for anyone looking for a new historical romance series to pick up.

The first couple chapters of this novel gave me Home Alone vibes, but that feeling quickly dissipated as events followed. *hint* There were no sexy times in Home Alone *hint*

I adore Paul, he is such a wonderful, perfect man. He is sexy, adorable, and flawed, but repentent. He is also one of the best commmunicators I have ever read about, at least when it comes to Daphne.

As for Daphne, choosing a man over family is not a route I would easily take, has as Daphe had half the family on her side, it worked out well for her.

Overall, this was a decent romance. It captured my attention, but does not rank high for me.

4.5 Stars
THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE by Janna MacGregor is book Four in The Cavensham Heiresses series. This is the story of Daphne Hallworth and Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. I have read and loved the previous books in this series, but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so. Paul used to be Daphne's brother best friend but now longer and is somewhat labeled as a enemy. But Daphne always had a crush on him but she always wish the good that she saw in him would be what he shows. Paul had a very abusive uncaring father which set him on a path that didn't do good or do the right thing but when his brother dies and then shortly after his father, he strives to become a better person. But his reputation is making it hard to move forward as he would like and his growing feelings for Daphne is helping him to strive to be a better man.
This has been a great series for me and look for more to come from this author.

This is at the third in this series that I've read, even though it is not my usual genre. I have fallen in love with the series because of the strength of the female characters that MacGregor portrays. Daphne may not have started out quite as strong as a few of the others, but the quickly stiffened her backbone when dealing with Paul and in trying to retrieve something of dire importance that had been stolen from her.
Paul, the Duke of Southart, was pretty much the opposite of Daphne's character. He started out being regarded as arrogant and a miscreant. As the book progresses, his soft underbelly is brought to light while he tries to help and protect Daphne in her pursuit to retrieve the stolen item. I love it when a strong man is brought to his knees by love! He is also trying to resurrect some friendships he had damaged in the past. What's not to love about a character like that? I'd take him any day!
I received this book via Netgalley in return for my honest thoughts.

Janna MacGregor has risen to the top pf my queue for favorite Regency Romance writers. I simply adore this series. Each story has a great balance of friendship, family, mystery and romance and MacGregor has done a wonderful job as her writing is incredibly descriptive and the imagery created puts the reader in the head and hearts of the characters.

After being unwittingly abandoned during the Christmas holiday, Lady Daphne Hallworth finds herself under the "protection" of her brothers ex best friend Lord Paul Barstowe, the second son of the Duke of Southart. With one of the worst reputations, Paul has a lot to overcome. But while the family is away, Daphne and Paul find a deep attraction and the flirtation and playful banter is exquisite:

“What do you want?”
Through the tangled web of sensuality he’d woven around her, she replied, “Everything.”
“You’re a wicked, wicked woman, Lady Daphne Hallworth.” He slowly drew away. With a rumbling, rich laugh that permeated every inch of her body, Paul held out his arm for her to take. “I think you and I are going to become the best of friends this evening. On the way to the Reynolds, perhaps you could define ‘everything’ for me.”

Already on the outs, his attention to Daphne is heavily protested but the seduction forms a steadfast connection that Daphne stands for. I loved her sense of independence as she fights for what she believes in, namely Paul. And all is not as it seems. How Paul, Alex, and Nicholas ended up on the outs may not be what it seems. There are some incredibly twists to the story that changes everything for all the families. There were times I felt incredibly sad for Paul. He questions his worthiness but it's clear his feeling for Daphne are earnest and he plays the hero for her in a much needed capacity. Daphne also faces a scandal of epic proportions.

I can't recommend this series enough. Every book has great central characters and the storyline continues to build on the world of The Cavensham Heiresses and reinforces my love for all things of "Ton" (le bon ton).

I’ve read the first three books of the Cavensham series and I’ve absolutely adored this book. When I started this book and read it was THEE Paul, bad boy Paul that broke his last engagement without a care in the world. I had a difficult time remembering his past actions because I couldn’t help but, see Paul Barstowe, the Duke of Southart as a kind, caring, and loving man. His relationship with his late father was absolutely heart wrenching. I’m not one to put blame on anyone for their present actions but, it really made sense as to why Paul turned out to be the man he once was. To feel unloved and little, the only way to react is to shame his Father. By doing so he lost more than he bargained for. Until he saw Daphne again.

Daphne was always fond of Paul. Even though Paul completely ruined his friendship with her older brother. In doing so her brother forbid Daphne to be near Paul. Daphne was described as a “good” girl with her own mind and heart. And her brother wouldn’t stand in the way of her dreams. I’ve always adored MacGregor’s novels. Especially how the heroine focuses on her dreams and the hero supports his heroine instead of causing her to give up her dreams for him. This is such a lovely historical romance. The characters were absolutely dashing and the story captured my attention and didn’t let it go. I literally held this book to me after it ended. It’s as if my heart broke a little that it ended.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. The Good, The Bad And The Duke is the fourth book in Janna MacGregor’s Cavensham Heiresses series. I do think you need to read all of the books in this series in order to get a proper understanding of the hero of this book. Paul Barstowe has recently become the Duke of Southart after first losing his beloved older brother to rheumatic fever and his definitely not beloved father as well. Paul’s reaction to not being accepted by his father has been to behave in the worst possible manner leading him to star as the villain in the other books of the series, despite this he is the one to Lady Daphne Hallworth younger sister of his estranged childhood best friend. She has always seen the good in him and when Daphne’s private journal is stolen Paul vows to get it back for her and in doing so hopes to repair the damage done to friendships that meant much to him. Lovely combination of reformed rake and friends to lovers. Medium Steam Publishing Date November 27, 2018
#NetGalley #TheGoodTheBadAndTheDuke #stmartinspress

Can’t say when I enjoyed a story more! Historical romances are my favorite and THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE DUKE by Janna MacGregor was one I truly enjoyed.

Lady Daphne Hallworth was ready to celebrate the holidays with her family but all the participants left assuming everyone had a ride. At first quite piqued that she was left home alone, Daphne uses the time to work on her dream—opening a home for unwed mothers. Taking a bit of time out for a walk, she sat in the park and thought to make some notations in her very private journal, when a young pickpocket grabbed her reticule with the journal in it. Giving chase she ran into her brother’s best friend-turned-enemy, Paul Barstowe, Duke of Southart. Her personal journal holds secrets that could devastate her family. Daphne has always harbored private feelings for the man her family scorns…though perhaps striking a bargain with the handsome Duke will solve both their problems?

Paul, long considered good for nothing, aims to open a hospital to honor his brother and restore his reputation. So when a conflict over the land, which Daphne wanted for her Home for unwed mothers, brings him straight into Daphne’s life, they make a deal: He will help her find her diary if Daphne can change her family’s opinion of him.

Lady Daphne has held a tendre for Paul for most of her life, and in spite of the conflict between her brother and his once best-friend - Daphne still held him in her heart. Amidst lots of scenarios between Daphne and Paul while he does his best to protect Daphne from ruin as her stubbornness of wanting to retrieve her journal leads her to several locations a lady never should be in, their passions ignite. And in trying to turn over a new leaf, will Paul’s efforts to help turn her brother into wanting to call Paul out!

Marilyn Rondeau

What a sweet and enchanting story. Very heartwarming. This is the first book of this author’s that I have read and I have fallen in love with it. I laughed and I cried. I just wish I had read the books in this series that came before this one but it was still a good book on it’s own.

Lady Daphne Hallworth is looking forward to the Christmas holiday, but when her family inadvertently leaves her home alone, she can't help but feel a little sorry for herself. Instead of dwelling too much on her dilemma, she decides it's the perfect opportunity to work on her passion project: opening a home for unwed mothers. Something she thinks of quite often as a place such as this could have helped her sister in her time of need before she took her own life.

On her way to visit her solicitor, Daphne's reticule is stolen and within it, her private journal. Detailing, among other things, her deepest desires, particularly where a certain notorious rake of a Duke is concerned.

Paul Barstowe, the Duke of Southart, has been on the outs with Daphne's family since he ended the engagement to, and humiliated, Daphne's sister-in-law along with some other indiscretions along the way. But when he encounters Daphne alone during the holidays and in need of help, he cannot turn her away. Paul agrees to help Daphne recover her journal before any of its secrets are made known if, in turn, she'll agree to start smoothing the way for Paul to reconnect with his former friends.

It's a time of cheer, a time of family, and a time of love.

It's nothing new when as author takes a former "villain" and turns them around into the hero of a piece, but it's how it's all handled that can make or break the story. Janna MacGregor has handled Paul's story admirably. Looking back, I think it's been building up since the beginning of the series. Mainly in the first book and in little glimpses in the two following. But I really enjoyed seeing Paul's redemption, as it were. The Good, the Bad, and the Duke lays bare all Paul's loneliness and insecurities, and how he's fighting everyday to earn back his good name, and the heartbreak that follows when he gets a setback, but how he still continues to fight. It's a beautiful story and sweet, yet indeed heartbreaking at times.

I think Daphne was the perfect one to partner Paul with. As Paul was entangled within the death of Daphne's sister, Alice, years ago, Daphne also felt the pang of the loss of her sister, but it also effected her in a different way. Daphne closed herself off, she "became invisible" and until that invisibility manifests itself in Daphne actually being forgotten, she's gone with the status quo. Being left behind is an eye-opener.

I loved the overall feeling of this book, but I did think there were times when the story went in too many different directions. There is the matter with Paul wanting to open a hospital, coincidentally bidding on the same property where Daphne wants to open her home for unwed mothers. Then the problem with the journal, their feelings for one another, Paul's past rearing its ugly head, among other things. I felt like some of these things could have been paired down a bit, especially where the journal was concerned, and the narrative as a whole would have felt crisper.

I did like what the story says about families. And I enjoyed that this series and it's characters are so tangled up together that there were quite a few times where I had to pause and mentally go over who was who and which family unit they fit into and who they married. I think it's more a commentary on Paul's want of a family, and of course the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, that brings these entanglements to light the most.

As it stands, however, I was delighted that Janna MacGragor gave this reformed rake his due. I'd fault anyone who would begrudge Paul a happily ever after.

There's also a nice set up for William Cavensham, whose own young broken heart has kept him from love. I can't wait to see what is up next!

When I read The Bad Luck Bride, the first book in Janna MacGregor's The Cavensham Heiresses series, I was not inclined to be sympathetic to the secondary, villainous character of Paul Barstowe, former best friend of the book's hero. In book two, The Bride Who Got Lucky, there were glimmers of a better man - or at least the possibility of one - hidden deep inside and I began to wonder if there could be more to Paul than I had first believed. I queried the author and learned that the fourth book of the series would be Paul's journey to redemption and love. The Good, the Bad, and the Duke releases today and, as I suspected, there is indeed much more to this man than his previous behavior would have indicated. Not only did Daphne fall in love with him but I did too. In fact, not since Lisa Kleypas's Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent have I enjoyed a redeemed hero this much.

Who better to match with a formerly dissolute, currently striving for redemption hero than his ex-best friend and current enemy's younger sister, right? As much as I enjoyed Paul, his heroine, Daphne is equally as wonderful. It was pure pleasure to watch her recapture the sense of self and adventurous spirit that she'd kept firmly on the shelf since the death of her sister and see her go to toe-to-toe both with her family over her relationship with Paul as well as with Paul himself. I adored these two together. The banter between them sparkles, their chemistry is off the charts, his tenderness with her is sigh-worthy, her defense of him is cheer-worthy, and the bond formed in their youth, while stretched to its limits by Paul's actions and Daphne's brother's enmity, remains strong and unbroken - a solid foundation upon which to build a love for a lifetime. Their beautifully paced evolution as a couple, as well as individually, engaged both my mind and my heart and put me firmly in their HEA corner.

The Good, the Bad, and the Duke is not only my favorite book in Janna MacGregor's The Cavensham Heiresses series but also one of my favorite books of 2018. It has my enthusiastic recommendation.

Daphne has had her diary stolen and it contains all of her deepest dreams and thoughts. Paul rescues her from a men's club where she hoped to retrieve the diary. They were childhood friends but circumstances brought disfavor upon Paul. His efforts to retrieve the diary and regain acceptance as well as the favor of Daphne is the meat of the story. Enchanting and heartwarming are the characters and the story.

Perfect story for the holidays, with forgiveness and redemption a key part of the story. But don't worry, the romance is front and center in a heartwarming manner, with Lady Daphne Hallworth meeting her match in her brother's ex-best friend, Paul, now the Duke of Southart. Left behind for the holidays, Lady Daphne decides to work on her charity, has a journal stolen and ends up at a gambling den where the Duke steps in to help. From there, the chase is on, with the two discovering their common interests and shared passion. She needs him to help regain her private musings in her journal; the secrets inside could hurt her family. He wants her to help him become friends with her family again; they despise him and he wants to salvage his reputation and become a better man. And that's what makes this story so sweet -- in the best way -- the hero seeks true redemption and the heroine wants to help him along the way. In the process, they fall in love, as equals, friends and lovers who no longer are star-crossed. Great secondary characters, well-thought out plot and no silliness. Just a lovely read. (I received an ARC from NetGalley. Opinions are all mine. Thanks, though. This one was lovely. Janna MacGregor improves as she moves from book to book, and she was good to begin with.)

If you are brand new to the Cavensham Heiresses series it’s… possible to enjoy The Good, the Bad, and the Duke on its own for there are some mentions of previous events and characters. Yet, to get the full idea and feeling for the characters in not only this story then I’d have to gently suggest that you consider starting at the beginning of this series. Do you “have” to? Of course not. But I believe you’ll get more enjoyment from Daphne and Paul’s story if you understand the past… but that is my opinion, you do what is right for you.

Daphne has become so good at fading into the woodwork that her family has gone off on Christmas holiday without her. Well, it at least leaves her time to make plans for her independent future since she has no suitors clamoring at the door. Her dream will go against everything the ton tends to avoid even thinking exists in her world, but she is determined to open a home for unwed mothers and the perfect property is available… perhaps.

Paul finds himself unexpectedly a Duke… one with a past and a reputation that he deeply regrets. His brother has passed away and now Paul is determined to redeem himself in his own eyes and the ton’s as well. He is set upon opening a hospital to honor his brother’s memory but the property isn’t as available as he first thought.

Daphne and Paul will meet again under strange circumstances. When he offers to help her retrieve a stolen diary if she will help him to mend the friendship he once shared with her brother they begin a partnership that neither expected. One that will lead to secrets being revealed, hope and happiness a possibility and falling in love with the right person for them… that is if they can keep from strangling each other along the way.

I enjoyed The Good, the Bad, and the Duke. It’s a great addition to the series, and gives us some interesting characters as well. I would recommend this story and series to any reader who enjoys Historical or Regency Romance, likable characters, a bit of steam, and a puzzle to unravel. If at all possible I would suggest starting at the beginning of the series. I know that’s not always possible, but I believe you’ll have a better entertainment experience if you can.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I liked this book. The characters were developed, the conflict was real, the story was good. I've previously read Janna MacGregor and haven't been disappointed in any of her stories.