Delightfully feminist and a fun fast read. Echoes of Jane Austen but with way more sex, politics, and romance thrown in. It is the perfect pick me up after a long week.

Disclaimer: I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

As soon as I saw the cover of this one and read the synopsis, it became one of my most anticipated releases of this year. A historical romance set against the backdrop of the women's movement in England? Sign me up!

Luckily, it was just as enjoyable as I suspected it would be. Though some of the set up to the romance involved tropes that were rather obvious, such as the FMC falling sick at the MMC's mansion as a device to give her a reason to stay in contact with them, I still greatly enjoyed the characters. They were well rounded with flaws that seemed realistic and at times, they made flat out poor decisions and I wished I could tell them not to do certain things.

I really appreciated the fact that history was not twisted to give the romance more of a modern vibe. The characters faced things that were really obstacles in the Victorian era and their solutions were true to the time, though admittedly, when Sebastian offered to make Annabelle his mistress, I wanted to slap him in the face. I have to admit that it was a solution that he would have come up with given the time period.

Anyway, I couldn't stop reading and the book was everything it promised to be. I will definitely be looking forward to future books by this author.

After having many people recommend this book, when the publisher invited me to read it, I had to say yes! I don't read much Historical Romance, but I cannot wait to read more of this series! Annabelle is freaking awesome and Sebastian may have needed some sense knocked into him a time or two, but I absolutely loved him as well! A great book!

Anabelle was sent away from her home in disgrace, ending up as basically a housekeeper for a cousin. Given the rare opportunity to study at Oxford in the late 1880’s, Anabelle becomes involved in the suffragette movement, while at the same time becoming enamored of a Duke she was supposed to spy on for the movement. As the Duke falls for Anabelle, this appealing historical romance becomes entertaining. Recommended.

Bringing down the Duke started out slow, but once it picked up, I couldn't put it down. I loved the history of this one and the focus on suffrage. The romance here was well told and I enjoyed this story immensely.

I really enjoyed this book and honestly my only complaint is that I wish there had been a bit more politics in it. But, that is mainly due to the fact that I personally though the suffrage plot was going to be more of a focus. I loved the tension and the chemistry between the main characters and I loved how this was like a sexy Pride & Prejudice. I am not typically a fan of historical romance, but was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this one.

Annabelle is trapped in a life as an unpaid servant for her male cousin, so she jumps at the chance to be one of the first women to study at Oxford. As a condition of her scholarship, she must join the local suffragist movement. Sebastian, Duke of Montgomery, has spent years building back the dukedom his father left in shambles. The Queen leverages his desire to win back his ducal home by forcing him to be the chief strategist for the Tory party for the upcoming elections.

A tale of a bluestocking, country girl fighting for women’s rights who falls for the enemy - a duke and the chief strategist for the Tory Party, Bringing Down the Duke gives readers a grand romance between two people who are meant to be, but born into stations that forbid their love.


Annabelle and Sebastian share an almost epic love. I appreciate that the while the passion is hot and burning, the romance builds slowly over the course of the book. Annabelle is extremely cautious, always aware of the repercussions to her reputation and life if she were to take up with a duke. Sebastian knows he can never marry a commoner like Annabelle, but is willing to take care of her as a mistress or however else she desires. Both understand not only their own place in society, but the roll of the other, so they accept they can never be. Their friendship grows as they flirt and banter, neither able to stay away from the other. And slowly, each comes to realize what is truly important in life, leading to more than one emotional scene.

With the dual POV, readers understand the wants, needs, and responsibilities of both characters. This makes it all the more heart-breaking by knowing how much each cares for the other, especially when Annabelle tries to protect her duke by refusing him to avoid his own downfall. The combination of getting into the minds and hearts of both main characters, as well as the passionate slow-build of their love, hooked me. I was invested in their relationship, hoping it would work, unsure how it would end (I mean, I know HEA, but..) I like that the author addresses the class separation and makes it an important part of the story, rather than ignoring the realities of the time. I also love me a strong historical heroine - one who doesn’t conform to the times, which is most certainly Annabelle. She thinks she’s broken because she’s inquisitive and engages conflict rather than demurely shying away. While this is a bit off-putting to some, Sebastian appreciates her candor, after getting to know her.

In the end, Sebastian and Annabelle captured my heart. And the author has set the stage for future stories for Annabelle’s close friends. I look forward to finding out what is in store for this League of Extraordinary Women.

Story: A-

“This is not a game to be won.”
“Well, it certainly seems like a tremendous defeat to let you go.”
‘Don’t let me go.’

What a wonderfully rich, swoony and interesting debut from Evie Dunmore. We’ve been on a bit of a historical renaissance lately and couldn’t wait to start Bringing Down the Duke. The era and the theme particularly sparked our interest, and the passion we experienced was palpable.

Set during the time of the National Society of Women Suffrage, the suffragette’s aspect was something that particularly garnered our interest and we take our hat off to Evie Dunmore because the research that went into this story was exhaustive! It seems scandalous to think of the sacrifice’s many women made for marriage at that time. The suffragette’s certainly fought a hard-won fight.

Annabelle Archer is twenty-five, beautiful, extremely intelligent and capable of great things, however, because of her station and gender, she must endure being a housekeeper for her horrid cousin. Annabelle is offered a scholarship to Oxford, something she desperately wants, however, the terms of the stipend state she must support the suffragette movement during her education.

This isn’t a hard ask for Annabelle and her friends Lucie, Hattie, and Catriona. These women are passionate about the cause and willing to fight for the right to be educated, enter parliament and for dissolution of the spousal property policy, in which they women must sign over their property to their husbands upon marriage. These women certainly have a fight on their hands.

Annabelle soon crosses paths with the handsome, aloof, commanding, utterly belligerent Lord Montgomery (Sebastian) a wealthy Duke, who is considered to have one of the country’s sharpest strategist minds. So much so, his counsel is sought by the Queen herself. The Duke has the ability to make women fawn and men cower with one piercing look.

‘He does have a heart, you see, a retrained, honourable heart, but it bruises just like yours and mine, and I wage it is a hundred times more steadfast.’

Annabelle is taken with the thirty-five-year-old Duke, and she, in turn, ignites a passion and lust in him that puts him off kilter. Readers, just wait until you experience the passion and chemistry between Sebastian and Annabelle! It’s tangible and felt like a living breathing being of its own!

‘But the truth was, a shocking emotion had held him in its clutches that night – to be inside her, or die.’

Annabelle and Sabastian not only gel with their sharp minds, but they meet on an emotional and physical level. Is there a future for them when Sebastian cannot marry below his station, and despite her feelings for him, Annabelle knows their relationship cannot prosper…or can it?

‘Very few people would ever see him like this, Montgomery, the man, not the duke. How she wished he were only a man.’

Evie Dunmore captured the struggle and strength of the suffragettes perfectly, whilst pitting the battle between love and want versus propriety and rules beautifully. We thoroughly enjoyed this story, though we did at times it could be a little repetitive.

This can be read as a standalone, though we’re looking forward to catching up these extraordinary women as the series progresses.

“Would you have me change my place in history to prove how much I want you?“

“This is not a game to be won.”
“Well, it certainly seems like a tremendous defeat to let you go.”
‘Don’t let me go.’

What a wonderfully rich, swoony and interesting debut from Evie Dunmore. We’ve been on a bit of a historical renaissance lately and couldn’t wait to start Bringing Down the Duke. The era and the theme particularly sparked our interest, and the passion we experienced was palpable.

Set during the time of the National Society of Women Suffrage, the suffragette’s aspect was something that particularly garnered our interest and we take our hat off to Evie Dunmore because the research that went into this story was exhaustive! It seems scandalous to think of the sacrifice’s many women made for marriage at that time. The suffragette’s certainly fought a hard-won fight.

Annabelle Archer is twenty-five, beautiful, extremely intelligent and capable of great things, however, because of her station and gender, she must endure being a housekeeper for her horrid cousin. Annabelle is offered a scholarship to Oxford, something she desperately wants, however, the terms of the stipend state she must support the suffragette movement during her education.

This isn’t a hard ask for Annabelle and her friends Lucie, Hattie, and Catriona. These women are passionate about the cause and willing to fight for the right to be educated, enter parliament and for dissolution of the spousal property policy, in which they women must sign over their property to their husbands upon marriage. These women certainly have a fight on their hands.

Annabelle soon crosses paths with the handsome, aloof, commanding, utterly belligerent Lord Montgomery (Sebastian) a wealthy Duke, who is considered to have one of the country’s sharpest strategist minds. So much so, his counsel is sought by the Queen herself. The Duke has the ability to make women fawn and men cower with one piercing look.

‘He does have a heart, you see, a retrained, honourable heart, but it bruises just like yours and mine, and I wage it is a hundred times more steadfast.’

Annabelle is taken with the thirty-five-year-old Duke, and she, in turn, ignites a passion and lust in him that puts him off kilter. Readers, just wait until you experience the passion and chemistry between Sebastian and Annabelle! It’s tangible and felt like a living breathing being of its own!

‘But the truth was, a shocking emotion had held him in its clutches that night – to be inside her, or die.’

Annabelle and Sabastian not only gel with their sharp minds, but they meet on an emotional and physical level. Is there a future for them when Sebastian cannot marry below his station, and despite her feelings for him, Annabelle knows their relationship cannot prosper…or can it?

‘Very few people would ever see him like this, Montgomery, the man, not the duke. How she wished he were only a man.’

Evie Dunmore captured the struggle and strength of the suffragettes perfectly, whilst pitting the battle between love and want versus propriety and rules beautifully. We thoroughly enjoyed this story, though we did at times it could be a little repetitive.

This can be read as a standalone, though we’re looking forward to catching up these extraordinary women as the series progresses.

“Would you have me change my place in history to prove how much I want you?“

This book is so fun and swoony and just UGH - so good! Though I seem to have a penchant for picking up books lately that deal heavily with emotional abuse... o.O Set in the Victorian era with a focus on the Women's Suffrage Movement, this book both made me laugh and broke my heart. The class difference between Annabelle and Sebastian makes this something of a star-crossed lovers story, which also starts out in a very enemies-to-lovers sort of way, and it's just glorious.

I did NOT love the little interludes between Sebastian and the Queen. I don't know, just something about having real characters, especially royalty, in my hist-rom just sort of breaks the illusion for me. I start thinking about whether Queen Victoria would have said something like that, acted like that, etc. Also, I wish Annabelle had been a bit more involved with the suffragists' cause, rather than just being obligated to go to their meetings and rally and whatnot because it was part of the terms of her scholarship. I assume she wrote some sort of essay applying for said scholarship implying that she supported their movement, and while she went along with it she clearly wasn't as gung-ho about it as some of the others.

I love the dynamic between Annabelle and Sebastian. They sort of immediately assume the worst about each other and are like a couple of hissing cats, and it's just GREAT. Especially when misunderstandings are cleared up and apologies are required. This is a slowwww burn with lots of sparks, and I love it. And then there are these glorious angsty moments when they're each trying to find a way to be together when they live in such disparate worlds, and I am just MELT.

Bringing Down the Duke is the first in the A League of Extraordinary Women series, and I am really looking forward to reading more from Evie Dunmore!

4.5 stars.

Bringing Down the Duke is easily the best historical romance of 2019, and definitely on my top ten list for this year. I'm truly amazed that this is a debut, because Evie Dunsmore writes with a uniqueness and confidence that belies her publishing years. It's the ultimate in different-status-in-society, push-pull, can't-help-but-love-you romances. I adored it.

Annabelle Archer is a woman who was shamed by her family and sent away to live with her uncle as a maid to his wife and children. But Annabelle is smart, and she learned a lot about Greek mythology and anthropology from her father, so when Oxford University begins letting women in to study, she manages to get a scholarship from the National Society for Women’s Suffrage and ends up studying there under her father's best friend and professor. The catch? She needs to scrounge up two pounds a month to send back to her uncle so that he can hire a maid to take care of his wife and children in her stead. And she has to help further the suffragist cause. It's the latter that has her bumping into Sebastian Devereux, the Duke of Montgomery and one of the queen's most prominent strategists.

Sebastian is used to people not being able to look him in the eye - his reputation as a brilliant political advisor and ability to persuade people to his side is legendary. So when Miss Annabelle Archer looks him clear in the eye and asks him to support the amendment of the Married Women's Property Act, Montgomery is surprised and intrigued. He's known as a cold-hearted man, and his political affiliations have him against her, but he can't help but find her fascinating, smart, and his equal in every way...except her station. All his life, Sebastian has been working to right the wrongs of his family - to gain back their ancestral castle and seat. A dalliance with Miss Archer would be wrong on every count...

Look, this sounds like your typical historical romance, I know. But the brilliance of the two characters, their unbelievable chemistry, and the fantastic background of the suffragist cause and the political machinations make this a much smarter, bolder romance than I've read in a long time. This is romance for the intellectual. The writing is eloquent and sophisticated. Evie Dunsmore doesn't hold back with the Greek mythology, with the Oxford University setting, with the logic that Sebastian and Annabelle display in their flirting and sparring. The slow-burn Dunsmore creates is so affecting that you really feel both the incredible attraction between Sebastian and Annabelle, and the desperate tragedy of their stations in life holding them back. I confess that I was often near tears when they would come together and break apart because logic had them holding back. It's one of the first romances I've read in a long time where I genuinely couldn't see how the happily-ever-after was going to come about, because Sebastian and Annabelle had such strong wills and goals.

I also loved Dunsmore’s excellent secondary characters - there’s a lot going on in this novel between the suffragists, the political climate, and Sebastian dealing with his younger brother Peregrin. It’s very clear that Dunsmore was setting up a series, but to be able to carve out such passionate but different characters in Catriona Campbell, a lady whose father is an esteemed professor; Hattie Greenfield, the daughter of London’s greatest merchant; and Lady Lucie, the head of the suffragist movement, was a delight to behold. Not only was the friendship A+++ between the ladies, but they each had goals and personalities that really worked against and for each other. There was a rapport between them that rivalled the one between Annabelle and Sebastian.

I absolutely adored Bringing Down the Duke. It was unputdownable, sexy, and so well researched that I have very few qualms. Well, maybe only one - the love scenes were beautifully written, but there were definitely moments where I felt that they bordered on the tasteful side. But maybe that’s just me. Overall, this one really got me, and I’m really, really looking forward to the next book in this series that Evie Dunsmore has up her sleeve.

I was {this close} to DNF'ing this book, but I'm truly glad I hung in there through to the end. I found the 10 to 15 chapters to be rather slow, but once I got past the hump the story was really so good. Evie Dunmore created a very rich and layered world with characters that felt very real and flawed and relatable. Not only did I wind up engrossed in the story, I can't wait for the rest of the series. I loved the ties to actual history and found the author's note at the end to be very helpful. I'm very much looking forward to Lucie, Catriona, and Hattie finding their HEA's as well! 4 out of 5 wine glasses.

I've had trouble writing this review because I don't know how I feel about it. It's a well written book and more serious as the cover makes it seem. There are consequences to the actions both of the main characters face with being with each other. They're not blind that marrying each other would lead to sacrifices on both sides. So they fight this strong attraction until they can decide what they can give up to be with each other.
P.S. I loved how Queen Victoria was not portrayed as fluffy because she did hate the suffrage movement in real life.

Normally historical romances , duke and duchess’ tempting chemistry kind of books are never my first choice or the last but this book is so witty, liberating, smart, refreshing reading awakens your feminist sole and questioning women rights, equality, lack of educational opportunities and other things they’ve suffered from humiliation to imprisonment at the time end of 19th century’s UK! And it also brought us a beautiful romance between well rounded, smartly developed and credible characters.

Back stories which include heavy dramatic elements were well rounded. I enjoyed the characters’ chemistry and relationship’s development.

It’s a well written debut of a gifted new writer. I enjoyed it mostly even this is not my favorite genre.

Of course I gave 3.75 stars rounded definitely to four political, lyrical, rebellious, equal women rightful STARS!

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for sharing this sweet book with me in exchange my honest review!

Loved this book! According to the author's note, it is inspired by real people and real events surrounding the fight for women's suffrage in late 19th century England. Very thoughtfully written from the point of view of a very strong and admirable female protagonist. Recommend to readers who enjoy historical romances with a light touch. I hope she keeps writing more of these.

Evie Dunmore manages to bring us a fiery protagonist, a sexy Duke with a Mr. Darcy bent, and a steamy romance while highlighting important moments in women's history. A resounding yes to learning about the Victorian champions of women's rights who laid the groundwork for future feminists while enjoying a super satisfying love story.

This is a great book, first in a new series, that is easy to devour in one day. I feel like I learned quite a bit about the time period and setting, even though it was a fun, breezy read. Lovely romance, highly recommended, and I cannot wait to learn more about the other ladies!

Suffragists, grumpy hero, and a happily ever after come together in Evie Dunmore's Victorian romance, Bringing Down the Duke. Sebastian Devereaux, Duke is Montgomery, has a reputation for being a cold, even heartless, man, but when college student/wallflower spinster/suffragist Annabelle Archer barrels into his life, he doesn't know what hit him.

I thoroughly enjoyed the character progression here, even if I did want to box Sebastian around the ears at most points throughout the first 2/3 of the book! Annabelle is a strong, smart character that I loved spending time with; her friends and fellow suffragists Cartriona, Lucie, and Hattie had subplots that make me hopeful for more in this series (I see Lucie has a book devoted to her coming out - yay!). Evie Dunmore did solid research on the British suffrage movement for this book, as noted in an author's note at the end.

Likable, well-written characters, a steamy romance that takes a slow-burn turn before the big payoff, and historical accuracy? Give me more, please!

4.5 Stars ~ Top Pick

This book reminds me of early Carolyn Jewel. Think, Lord Ruin and other imperious Duke’s and then mix that with Courtney Milan’s trailblazing stories chock full of events and truths based on true history. That’s this story, in a nutshell. And it was marvelous.

There is a dual POV from both bluestocking Annabelle and the force of nature that is the Duke of Montgomery. Lord, it’s been a while since I read a book with a Duke so forbidding and alpha. Thank you, Evie Dunmore for bringing that alpha Duke bake to life again for me. A man that radiates the epitome of a capable. I’ll be honest that’s a hardcore desirable trait for me. The heroine explains it best:

“In a world where everyone was swept along in the murky circumstances, paddling frantically this way and that, his unapologetic self-assurance looked like a rock in the rapids. Here was a man who would take charge, and then not bungle it.

Out of nowhere flashed a thought: what would it be like, to be married to such a man? Free. At the side of a man who took care of things, a woman could be free.”

Such a lovely revelation and even more scary since Annabelle doesn’t believe in marriage, at least not for her. She’s lower class with her own awful story of being taken advantage by a man. At the same time she’s strong, embracing of her flaws, and accepting of her own nature. She views herself equal to men and thankfully, after a bit of a trial our dear Montgomery sees her the same way.

Oh, but Montgomery has a long way to fall off his high horse… a long way indeed. As most alpha high-handed dukes must often do. Montgomery has his own goals to reclaim family legacy and Annabelle is in direct resistance to that path. Too bad he can’t stop it and watching him fall is absolutely what kept this book a page turner.

This book is also fresh, fresh with story, plot, and a seemingly impossible but deeply wanted HEA. There is fighting and plenty of sacrifice and plenty of conflict borne from frank discussions about social rank and women’s right to vote. The fact that a woman choosing carnal relations is met with more derision, and that if she wants a man higher than her station for more than sex she is asking too much.

Also, may I just say that the Duke’s come to Jesus moment is inflicted by a pheasant, not some close friend offering words wisdom, but an animal. I can’t say more, don’t want to give things away, but I binged this book. It went from slow start to sweeping emotion. Rolling waves of emotion, that left me as breathless as Annabelle and the Duke after getting swept up in desire.

Now, the things that held me back from a 5 star rating, be prepared I’m going to be picky. The slow start for one. The first chapter or so really dragged for me. I kept going giving this story the requisite three chapter good faith test. I am glad I did. The other challenge is at times there are a few back and forth moment where a hero or heroine is having internal recollection, but differing past from present was a bit difficult. So I got I confused for a short moment.

Overall, Dunmore has pulled off a brilliant debut. I am looking forward to more in the series and hope to see multiple characters get their stories told. As I mentioned above if you enjoy Courtney Milan historical and the Alpha dukes of the Balogh and Kleypas series in years past this one is definitely for you.

~ Landra

I haven't read a lot of historical romances since I thought that they were not my cup of tea but this one pleasantly surprised me because I ended up loving it! Annabelle, the main character, is one of the first female students at the university and she is also part of the suffrage movement.. As a part of this movement, she has to find people in power to support their cause and so this is how she first meets Sebastian, who is the Duke of Montgomery. Love at first sight? Definitely not. All the characters in this book were amazing and the chemistry between Annabelle and Sebastian were off the charts. I loved seeing them together and their interactions.