Stealing the Duke by Jess Michaels is book Two in The Scandal Sheet Series. This is the story of Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale and Marianne. I have read the previous book, but feel this can be a standalone book if you choose to do so. Marianne's father the Earl of Martingale has died, which is upsetting in its self. But she learns that he had been stealing things which leads her to call the watch asking that things be handle discreetly. This doesn't happen and a scandal is set off. Now, her cousin who is taking over her father's title has given her and her 10 year old sister, Juliet a month to get out. Marianne finds one more item to be returned to the owner and wanting to discreetly do it she sneaks into his house sure that no one is home. Alexander is a recluse due to his scars that are on the outside but more so on the inside. When he catches Marianne sneaking around his house he quickly learns her story and a bargain is struck between the two. But, sometimes bargains become more than what was originally planned.
Quick Hot Read!

This was a short, steamy, and sweet novella. But to be honest, a full length novel is the best format for this kind of story. The characters had depth, but they were forced to undergo a character and relationship development quickly even though they had just met each other. It didn't feel smooth or natural — everything happened too swiftly. That being said, the writing was good. I just think that this kind of story, one where both hero and heroine have a complicated past, would have been better told in a full length novel.

When the late Earl of Martingale's daughter, Lady Marianne tries to do the right thing after learning that her father was stealing from the members of the ton, the price for her good deed may cost her everything.

Left nearly penniless and at the mercy of her father's heir, Marianne and her young sister Juliet seem to be out of options. When she finds a brooch that belongs to the sister of the Duke of Avondale, she decides to return it herself, rather than turn it over to the policeman that took joy in causing a scandal. She expects to slip in the duke's London home, leave the brooch and slip out with no one the wiser - what she didn't expect was to come face to scarred face of Alex, the Duke of Avondale!

Marianne awakens something in Alex that he believed died with his beloved sister Anne, for the first time in years, Alex feels a spark of life and desire. He offers Marianne a bargain - be his mistress for a month and in exchange he will give her a cottage and dowry for her sister. With no other options, Marianne agrees.

These two have an undeniable chemistry between them and the love scenes are steamy, but can Alex accept more than passion from Marianne or do his scars run too deep??

I thought this was a steamy, entertaining, uncomplicated read, I liked both Alex and Marianne and felt the progression of their relationship was very well done and the story was surprisingly deep for a relatively short novella. This is the second book in the Scandal Sheet series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone title as the books are only connected together by the "scandals".

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to my by NetGalley and the Publisher*

4.25 Stars
When the Earl of Martingale died, his daughter Marianne discovered he had been stealing. When she tried to return the items, it only created a scandal that could destroy her and her beloved younger sister Juliet. Now she's found one more item and decides to just sneak it back to the victim in the hopes to keep her disgrace from growing.
Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, has isolated himself since his sister died. But when he catches the fetching Marianne trying to return his sister's stolen broach, her presence awakens desires in him, longings he hasn't allowed himself to feel in years. When he realizes her dire straits, he makes her a shocking offer that could save her & he’s surprised when she accepts his offer.
This is the second book in the series but is easily read on its own. I was drawn in from the start & read the novella in a sitting, thank goodness it wasn’t a full length novel as I wouldn’t have had any sleep! The author always has strong characters, both Alexander & Marianne are very well portrayed & are very likeable. They both have their demons to fight but together the world seems lighter. Their attraction sizzles but they also find themselves letting each other see beyond the façade they show the world. A page turning captivating hot read
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Love Jess Michaels stories. But this one is very different then her usual ones. So much tension and misunderstanding.
But in the end I was happy for the couple and hopeful for their story to continue.

Stealing the Duke has got to be one of my favorite stories by this author. In it's own way, it's kind of a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. Alexander Wittingham Duke of Avondale hides himself away from the world, the ton and society until Mariann, daughter of the recently deceased Duke of Martingale brakes into his house to return a brooch stolen by her late father.
Alex is scarred in many ways, he strikes up a bargain with Marianne to be his lover at his country house when he encounters her returning the brooch. Right from the start I admired the strength of Marianne, especially after she agrees to a deal that will not only ruin her own reputation, but she puts her younger sister, Juliet before all else to protect her and make sure she has a secure future. She is the kind of heroine that I love to read about as I like a character with a lot of fight in their personality which Marianne has plenty of.
Together Alex and Marianne had a great connection both physically and emotionally. This isn't a traditional romance in any way but they really do have a very good sexual bond and friendship that burns slowly into something more. The story was very well written and was a fast paced read, and even though this book is only a short story I didn't feel like it was missing anything at all. I thoroughly enjoyed Alex and Marianne's story and look forward to reading more books in this series.

Marianne and her sister, Juliet, are suffering the consequences for their newly deceased father, the Earl of Martingale's, past actions. When Marianne discovered a wealth of items her departed father had stolen, she means to see them restored to their owners. Unfortunately, doing the right thing hasn't worked out so great for her. Not only is the family name dragged through the mud, but her cousin is kicking her and Juliet out of their home within a month's time. Marianne has no idea where her actions are about to lead her.

Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, keeps to himself ever since his sister's death. To say he's surprised when Marianne sneaks into his home at night is an understatement. After Marianne spills the beans about her situation, Alexander finds himself offering her a proposal. Marianne will be his mistress for a month, and in exchange he will give Juliet and her a home as well as Juliet a dowry. What Alexander does not know is that he will come to care for Marianne quite a bit. What will happen when their arrangement ends?

Although a short read, STEALING THE DUKE, is just as captivating as a full-length novel. It is the second installment in author Jess Michaels' SCANDAL SHEET series. Each book can be read as a standalone, but if you want to read from the beginning, THE RETURN OF LADY JANE is book one. Back to STEALING THE DUKE, I really enjoyed the characters, primary and secondary. The only thing I would have liked to see was more interaction between Marianne and Juliet and Juliet getting to know Alexander more. The plot is compelling, the characters are relatable, and their is definite passion and chemistry between Alexander and Marianne. Their story had a beautiful and much deserved ending. Hats off to Ms. Michaels! I give STEALING THE DUKE a 4.5 star rating!

A steamy novella. With limited space for development, I usually find novellas to leave me wanting. This however delivered emotion, instant chemistry and a happily ever after. A fun quick read.


I received a free ARC of this title from the publisher via Netgalley.

Jess Michaels’ latest, “Stealing the Duke”, is a quick, sexy read… Don’t ask for much character development in under a hundred pages, but you can expect Michaels’ smoking sex scene as her heroine decides to sacrifice herself for her sister’s well-being, and the sacrifice turns out to be well worth it!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marianne and Juliet Martingale have just lost their father but he has kept a secret. He has been stealing from his peers. Mari doesn't know how she should return them. She gave them to the watch and the leader felt so important that he told everyone. And they became sunk in a scandal.
Alexander Wittingham, Duke of Avondale has become a recluse. Two years ago something happened to him and he now feels he is a monster. He has this scar across his face and he also feels very ugly and frightening. She finds a piece of jewelry in her father's desk and she refuses to give it to the watch this time. She will take it. As she tries to put it on the duke's desk, she gets caught. He makes her a proposition that may help her sister and herself. A lot is in this tale, but it flows well The characters got along well together and you could see them grow My only complaint is it was way too short..

I received this from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

This novella was a quickly paced, steamy read. The characters had immediate chemistry with each other. I would read more from Jess Michaels in the future.

On the death of her father, the Earl of Martingale, Lady Marianne found he had been stealing items from the aristocracy. by doing the honourable thing and returning the items Marianne found herself in disgrace. Complicating matters, the cousin who inherited the estate is throwing Marianne and her young sister onto the street. Marianne thought things could not possibly worse she finds a locket hidden in her father's desk. knowing she could not live with herself if she did not return it, she decides to steal into the rightful owners home and leave it without anyone knowing it had been stolen. 

Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, is scared both inside and out. He has hidden away since the death of his sister, shunning society. when he catches a thief in his home with his sister's necklace he rediscovers emotions he thought long since dead to him. taking advantage of Marianne's dire situation, he concocts a plan that would benefit them both. Marianne will receive a home for her and her sister and he will get Marianne in his bed for a month. as the time nears its end can these two wounded individuals find a more permanent solution for their situation. 

This novella is an enjoyable steamy read but it is not up to the author's usual standards. The story was predictable and lacked the level of heat typically found in the author's work. This was more of a tell the characters fell in love than showing it develop story. It suffered for its length which is a risk in novellas.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Marianne is in a dire situation and she has absolutely no idea how to rescue herself much less her sweet ten-year-old sister, Juliet. Their father, the Earl of Martingale has just died and left them destitute and scandal-ridden. Well, there wasn’t really a scandal until Marianne found a stash of things her father had stolen (kleptomania) and Marianne called the watch to have the items returned to their owners. She requested that it be handled discretely – it wasn’t – now the scandal is running rampant throughout the ton. To top it off, the cousin who inherited her father’s earldom has given them one month to be out of their home. Now, she has found yet one more stolen item that has to be returned. She can’t call the watch to return it, that would just add fuel to the scandal. No, she must return it herself. She’s sure the owner of the item isn’t in town, so it should be an easy enough matter to sneak into the townhouse and leave the item to be found by the owner.

Alexander Wittingham, the Duke of Avondale, considers himself a monster. He’s scarred both inside and out. He’s lived isolated for the last five years – completely shut off from society. When he apprehends what he thinks is a thief stealing into his study, he is ready to fully punish them. Then, he realizes it is a female – and a lovely one at that. He allows her to explain why she’s there and what her circumstances are, he makes her an offer she can hardly refuse. Well – she could refuse, but then what would she and Juliet do?

I really liked Marianne. She made the best of the hand she was dealt and remained cheerful and caring. Alexander – well – it wasn’t that I disliked him, I just didn’t understand him. To me, his big secret was no big deal – at least not enough to cause him to act as he did.

This short novella is well written and the characters are both likable and I think you’ll like it.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

These bite-sized tidbits from The Scandal Sheet are delicious and easily devoured. In this scandal sheet we have a beauty and the beast trope which, of course, everyone loves. This is what I love about Ms. Michaels’ stories, the writing, steaminess and level of angst is always perfect. You can read a 120 page novella or a 250 page book and you will always be pleased and smiling at the end of the story. Fantastic series, so far.

Marianne and Alexander heat up the pages quick! Alexander discovers Marianne in a compromising position and offers her an arrangement that she can’t refuse. Both get even more than they ever imagined. I love Marianne’s honesty and tenacity. I really felt for her because she tries to do the right thing and it backfires terribly on her. And then there’s Alexander who hides behind his scars, both physical and unseen, but Marianne slowly breaks down his walls and sees him for who he truly is. You can’t go wrong with this sweet and sexy novella!

Awesome read. Short and sexy story a la Jess Michaels. The Book cover is so sexy. I really liked Marianne and Alexander. They worked well together. And you need a Fan for all that sexyness between the sheets.
The opinions here are all mine. Thanks the publisher and netgalley for this ARC.

This is a relatively short book about Alexander and Marianne's love story. Alexander is the stereotypical beast as a result of him blaming himself for terrible behavior in his past. Marianne is an innocent product of her father's poor choices, though she doesn't seem to want to stay innocent for long! Ms. Michaels weaves a tale of passion that turns to love. It was a fun read.

This is my fair and honest review for this ARC. Well, that was a ripper of a tale. Quintessentially Jess Michaels excellent writing style but with a bit of heat. Good read.

Another great novella in this series! Marianne tries to do the right thing, but is caught by Alex. He makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Alex is the perfect broody, scarred hero. Marianne makes him the perfect match. A lot is packed into this novella!

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy via NetGalley.

This is a well written story of how love can be found when least expected. After Marianne’s father dies and his stealing is found out, she and her sister are given one month to vacate their home. She is caught trying to return the last stolen piece of jewelry to the Duke of Avondale. Alexander makes her an offer, spend one month with him at his beck and call and he will allow she and her sister Juliet to live in a cottage on his estate and he will provide a dowry for Juliet when the time comes. With no place to go, she accepts the offer. There is a HEA but a lot happens before this comes about. This is a wonderful love story, sexually graphic and I would highly recommend this book.