really enjoyed this next installment in the 1797 Club series. Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield has been somewhat crushed when his long-time fiancee marries his best friend. He never loved her, but feels rejected and betrayed. He becomes brooding and withdrawn until he is dazzled by an actress. The actress is actually Adelaide Longford, daughter of a duke and bluestocking wallflower. Adelaide breaks free of her dull life by becoming the actress, Lydia. Graham's attraction to Lydia causes him to re-enter society where he forms a friendship with Adelaide and finds himself also strangely attracted to her. The plot sounds a little silly, but there is plenty of depth as these two characters come to terms with themselves and each other.

If you can suspend disbelief (if you can believe that his friends didn't know that Clark Kent was Superman) you will find much to love in this book. It is my favorite of the series so far.

Adelaide Longford is London’s most overlooked bluestocking wallflower and that is fine by her. Being ignored gives her the perfect opportunity to sneak out and secretly take on the persona of the most celebrated actress of the day, Lydia Ford. The thrill of walking the boards and hearing the applause of those who watch her is the most exciting experience of her life. Until Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield comes into her life. He is broken after the humiliating loss of his longtime fiancé to his supposed best friend and they enter into a lusty affair which sets her body on fire. Graham has no idea why he’s so attracted to both the bespectacled, prickly Adelaide and the passionate Lydia, but soon he is caught in a dance with them both and torn between which future he wants to pursue. When Graham finds out Adelaide’s secret identity will he be able to accept both parts of her? And will he be able to save her from a lurking danger that neither of them could have ever foreseen?
This was a really great story. I loved it from start to finish. Adelaide is definitely a bit different from a lot of the other heroine’s in historical romances and I absolutely loved her! I really felt bad for Graham and everything he had been through. I did read the first book in this series and loved it just as much. I’m fast becoming a fan of this author. I can’t wait to read more! I highly recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This is the best book of the series. Broken is the shit. If you love historical romance and broke hero this is your book plus there are pictures. It is a must read!

This book is a reprint with illustrations. The non illustrated version was previously published in 2017.

After reading about Graham in the previous book from this author called "Her favorite duke", I had simultaneously felt bad for him and was happy for him. I felt bad for losing his fiancé although I think there was no way he could have stopped true love and I was happy because I knew now there will be a chance for a HEA for him. The heroine, Adelaide is full of spunk and courage to take the path that she is on considering the role of women in society during that era. She was the perfect heroine for Graham with sheet scorching chemistry between the both of them. I love this romance and highly recommend this book and the previous book in this series. I really loved the beautiful illustrations that support this beautiful romance. The non illustrated version was previously published in 2017

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

The original book is fantastic (love Graham's story) but this illustrated version takes it to another level!! I loved having pictures throughout, it really brought the story to life (without pulling readers away from it)!!!

4 Stars - Originally Bought & Read on the 18th Sept 2017.

Duke falls for Spinster what isn’t to love! Graham & Adelaides story is great!

Reviewed on GoodReads.

I follow Jess Michaels on social media because she is one of my favorite authors. I was sad when her 1797 Club series came to an end, but loved every minute reading about the dashing dukes and the ladies they fell for. We got a short story expanding on The Silent Duke for Christmas, so I was hopeful that we might get a few more glimpses into the 1797 world. I was beyond ecstatic when I saw that Jess was working on an illustrated version of The Broken Duke.

For those of you who didn’t read Graham’s story when the original came out, he is featured in the third book of the series. After he was thrown over by his long-time fiancé, Meg, to one of his best friends, Simon, Graham has spiraled into a deep depression. While he did not love Meg, the betrayal from Simon cut deep. Pressured to return to the real world, Graham joins a few friends for a night at the theater where he becomes enchanted with the lead actress, Lydia Ford.

Adelaide Longford, aka Lydia Ford, is the daughter of an earl by day and an actress treading the boards by night. After her parents deaths, Adelaide is taken in by her maiden aunt, Lady Opal. To get away from the strict and sometimes cruel treatment from her aunt, Adelaide escapes to the stage. When Graham comes to meet Lydia back stage, his desire is solidified.

The next night, Graham meets Adelaide in her own persona. When Michaels described how Adelaide looked as herself and as Lydia, I could see how Graham might not see they were one in the same. These pictures bring Adelaide to life and clearly show how he would never make the connection. Models Courtney Rood and Drew Leighty bring vibrant light to an already brilliant story. While I was reading this on my kindle, I bookmarked all the pictures with a note saying what I felt the pictures were showing me. Some were tagged “Sweet Adelaide” and “Graham’s Yummy Backside”. A picture about 3/4 of the way in, I tagged “True Love”. I remember smiling with happy tears in my eyes.

This story transformed on the pages before me. Not only did it bring The Broken Duke to life, it brought forth other images in my mind of the couple throughout the rest of the series. I can see them clearly in another novel where they were being naughty and didn’t know a pair was hiding behind the drapes.

Thank you Jess Michaels for compiling this version of Graham: The Broken Duke! Thank you to the talented photographer, Jen LeBlanc, and the outstanding models, Courtney Rood and Drew Leighty. I wish she could do this for all her novels, but I am overjoyed she got to do Graham and Adelaide’s story first. Even if you’ve already read the initial version, these photos make the story really come alive and is worth another dozen reads.

I received Graham: The Broken Duke for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Adelaide Langford is leaving a double life. In the eyes of the Ton, she is a bluestocking wallflower. When she sneaks out of her aunt’s house, she is a celebrated actress.

Graham is starting to return to his old life after the humiliating loss of his longtime fiancée to one of his best friends. His other friends drag him out to the theater where he sees Lydia Ford and is instantly thrown into lust.

Graham does not know why the bespectacled wallflower attracts him as much as Lydia. He is torn and guilted by his feelings until he discovers Adelaide’s secret.

Can Graham save her from the danger that Adelaide was beginning to suspect?

The Broken Duke is the third in the series that revolves around a group of friends that are Dukes. I felt so bad for Graham in the previous book, but at the same time relieved because everyone deserves a spouse that loves them.

When Graham found Adelaide, I was thrilled. I love the characters in the book. While it is about Graham and Adelaide, the Dukes and Duchesses from the previous books make appearances and play a vital part.

This is a wonderfully written novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and can’t wait for the next book. Jess Michaels never disappoints and is one of my favorite authors.

I read this novel when it was first published. To re-read it with Jenn LeBlanc's photos in an illustrated romance enhanced the book. I loved how the pictures captured the novel.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

I loved it. SImply another well-written historical romance by Ms. Michaels. I like how the story flowed to the end. Nicely done.

The Broken Duke is book 3 in the 1797 club series and it can easily be read as a standalone. Events from the previous books are relevant in this book, but the summary of these events are fairly easy to navigate in The Broken Duke.

This new shiny edition of The Broken Duke features photographs of the cover models acting out certain scenes from the book. It's the first of its kind that I've read. I did enjoy the photographs — they were a nice touch even if some of them were a bit cheesy. I prefer picturing the characters in my own head, but it was still a fun experience looking at the photographic illustrations.

The story in itself is good and kept my interest, but it's nothing special unfortunately. The plot was steady until the last third when it just started getting convoluted. There were too many crazy things happening and it felt as if the author just threw all of it together for the shock factor. I've read plenty of historicals like this one, some were better and others were worse. If you're new to the genre, you may enjoy this a lot more than I did. If you've read a lot of historicals like me, then you've probably read a couple of similar books like this one already.

Another great book by Jess Michaels. The illustrations by Jenn LeBlanc added another depth to the story. They were well done and well placed. It added to.my reading pleasure. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I read the novel quite some time ago so I wont review the story itself - the special thing about the book is the illustration part. The photos are well done but I so didn't find photo-Graham handsome, he was too bawdy in my opinion.

Graham is crushed when his betrothed marries another. Not because he loved her, but because his best friend (who she married) kept the secret that he was in love with her for years. He feels betrayed. He has kept himself out of the public eye but is convinced to go out to a show where he meets Lydia, a celebrated actress. What he doesn't know, is that Lydia is hiding a secret.

The most exciting thing to happen to Adelaide was taking on the persona of Lydia and getting on the stage. That is until she means Graham. She has interactions with him as both Adelaide and Lydia and she doesn't know how long she can keep up the deception.

What will Graham do when he learns that Adelaide and Lydia are one in the same?

I throughly enjoyed Graham and Adelaide's story and the illustrated version made it so much more so!! I'm hopefully that Michaels does more books like this in the future!!

I have previously read and enjoyed THE BROKEN DUKE, and my original review of the book is shown below. Author Jess Michaels, along with Jenn LeBlanc, decided to reissue the book, this time as an illustrated version. When I’m reading, I picture the characters in my mind, and I particularly love it when an author posts pics of what she imagines her characters to look like. This made me especially eager to view an illustrated romance, and this story has its own special challenge. The heroine, Adelaide, is living a double life, and her alter ego, actress Lydia Ford, is having a passionate affair with the hero, Graham. As I read the original story, this gave me pause. Could a beautiful woman disguise herself as a wallflower so successfully that even her lover wouldn’t recognize her?

The illustrations are all in black and white and are interspersed throughout the book. They are high quality and range from playful to serious to sensual. The pictures fit the story exactly as it flows and are placed perfectly. While I have to believe that Graham may have been initially fooled by the wallflower, Adelaide, I think that in real life he would have come to realize the truth of her identity much sooner. I decided to just go with the flow of the story and accept Graham’s not recognizing his lover, much like Lois Lane didn’t recognize Clark Kent as Superman. I found the pictures beautiful and perfectly placed. For me, they added another wonderful level of enjoyment to an already satisfying book.

ORIGINAL BOOK REVIEW:
THE BROKEN DUKE is Book 3 of the 1797 Club series, which is about a group of close friends who are all dukes or heirs to dukedoms. In previous books, we learned that James, Simon, and Graham, (three club members) were as close as brothers. In an effort to protect his sister, Margaret, in the event of his death, James arranged an engagement between her and Graham. The problem is, Margaret and Simon have been in love forever, while Graham and Margaret are, at best, courteous friends. After years of this engagement, Simon and Margaret finally find the courage to break free and declare their love. While Graham admittedly had no love for Margaret, he feels the betrayal of Simon deeply, and he breaks his friendship with James and Simon. The public humiliation of being jilted, and what Graham perceives as betrayal have sent him into a tailspin of drinking and avoiding society.

After months of watching Graham living this way, two of his other friends from the club finally convince him to attend a play. While there, Graham feels everyone's stares and hears their whispers about him. Even through his discomfort, his attention is captured by the lead actress, Lydia Ford. Graham's reaction is so unusual for him, that he goes to her dressing room after the play to meet her. Even though the actress appears to find him equally appealing, she's not ready to jump into a quick sexual encounter, despite what their heated kisses might indicate. Graham leaves, but he knows he'll be back - this is the most alive he's felt in forever.

Lydia Ford has a very large secret. The actress is really Lady Adelaide Longford, daughter of an earl, and in real life, a wallflower. A strange set of circumstances led to her "acting" career, and she finds herself passionately loving her life on stage. She has a natural talent, and has become a favorite to the audience. Her escapes from her strict home life a few times a week are the highlights of her dull life.

Now that Graham has ventured to the theatre, he's going to take the next step toward coming back to society by attending a ball. When, unexpectedly, newlyweds Simon and Margaret enter, Graham panics and escapes to the dance floor with the only wallflower he sees available, none other than his actress-in-disguise. Adelaide is shocked to be approached by Graham, and initially thinks he's seen through her camouflage. As a society wallflower, she scrapes her hair back into an unbecoming bun, wears unflattering clothes, and dons spectacles that hide her eyes. When Adelaide realizes Graham's real reason for dancing with her, she allows a bit of her witty personality to come through, and Graham finds himself liking her. Graham has not given up his pursuit of Lydia, and they begin a steamy affair. Meanwhile, he finds himself charmed by Adelaide, and begins to find himself going a bit bonkers over his strong attraction to two very different women.

While there is so much I loved about this book, I had to suspend disbelief regarding two things. First, Adelaide has an extremely strict guardian, who watched her like a hawk. I find it hard to believe that she could regularly sneak out of her house three evenings a week and not get caught. Second, Graham is having an intimate affair with a woman - how can a different hairstyle and glasses keep him from recognizing her? Well, THE BROKEN DUKE is so interesting and compelling, that I pushed those doubts aside, and decided to just enjoy the ride. Graham and Adelaide are complex, yet likable characters, who have had to endure a lot in their pasts. In particular, Adelaide is forced to live a very sad existence now. Graham's reaction when he learns his two loves are one person is priceless - I loved it! I couldn't put THE BROKEN DUKE down once I started reading. There are some twists and surprises I didn't see coming, and I enjoyed every bit of the passionate and emotional journey.

Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield has had his heart broken by his longtime fiancée and his best friend. Graham deserves a happy ending and here’s to hoping he finds it with Lady Adelaide Longford.
Adelaide Longford a wallflower daughter of the former Earl of Longford knows she has a reputation to protect, but as a wallflower no one really notices her. She decides to secretly take on the persona of Lydia Ford a celebrated actress on the London stage. The applause has been the most exciting thing in her life that is until Graham walks into her life and their sizzling passion set her on fire. Graham he can’t understand why he’s so attracted to both lady Adelaide and Lydia and soon he’s torn between which one to peruse a future with. What will happen when Graham finds out about Adelaide’s secret life, will he ever trust her again? Graham loves both sides of Adelaide the wallflower and the passionate woman can he withstand another mistrust by someone he has grown to care about? I loved the picture illustrations in this book they really added another element to my reading pleasure see the black and white pictures. Read this great story to see if he forgive her and risk his heart again to find his HEA!!!
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.

I really enjoyed this story, and as ususual Jess Michaels is a very good writer, so the situation and the characters were very well handled and engaging. I really didn’t feel that the illustrations/ photos added anything to the story for me though. I prefer to imagine my characters myself, and because I am super picky, kept jolting out of the story and finding myself critiquing the styling of the pictures / choice of pose etc. (As a side note, not every girl in glasses needs to be looking over them in every shot!)

I really loved the character of Adelaide, she was adventurous and strong, but not in a brash or showy way. She had a lot of inner strength, and a decency which came through well on the page. I felt she was a heroine I could admire, rather than be exasperated by. There were lies and omissions to handle, but she didn’t make excuses for them, even to herself, which I really liked.

Graham was a little self absorbed and truculent at the beginning of the book, If he hadn’t loved his fiancé Meg, who was he so wounded by losing her, however as the story progressed and Ms Michaels developed his character, I found myself appreciating his respectful connection with Lydia;/Adelaide, and his bravery in facing up to his friends.

Graham is reeling from his broken betrothal when the book opens, and agrees to go to the theatre with his friends as a distraction, he is captivated by the actress on Stage, Lydia Ford, and foes backstage with the intention of seducing her. They are instantly attracted, but Lydia is hiding a secret, she is a member of the ton, a drab bespectacled wallflower known as Lady Adelaide. To escape from her humdrum life and her cruel Aunt Opal, she escapes to the theatre a couple of times a week.

Graham pursues Lydia, and Adelaide is very aware of keeping her two personas separate. At the same time, Graham reenters society at a ton ball, and to escape gossip when his former friend Simon, and his now wife Meg arrive, he asks the first wallflower he sees to dance. It is Adelaide. She challenges him from the first, and the book progresses, as Graham grows ever closer to Lydia, he is increasingly attracted to Lady Adelaide too, how can he reconcile these feelings.

Will Adelaide confess all, and how will her controlling aunt and their aristocratic friends help or hinder them on their path to their HEA.

Really enjoyed this one, would recommend, although I would prefer a non illustrated edition.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Posted on Goodreads

This book is a re release of a previous book. This difference is there are illustrations. I'm not sure how I felt about the pictures in the book. At first I absolutely didn't like them. Then they kind of grew on me. I think I'd still prefer to formulate a picture of the hero and heroine in my mind.
As for the story itself, it was very good. It's the story of Grahme, Duke, who was jilted by his fiancee for his best friend.
Lady Adelaide, daughter of an Earl, is a spinster, a Wallflower. She is also leading a double life, a secret one, as an actress named Lydia.
It's at the theatre where Grahme finds himself intrigued by Lydia. It's at a ball the following night where Adelaide helps him out of a sticky situation, garnering his attention.
Grahme cannot understand why he is attracted to 2 women who are totally opposite of each other. Finding out leads to alot of adventures.

This book has black and while picture through out it to help tell their story. This was such a nice change from other romances where there are no pictures other than the cover or in the back cover. Really happy that Ms. Michaels gave this updated book version with the pictures.
My Review:
'The Broken Duke' by Jess Michaels is book Three in "The 1797 Club" series. This is the story of Adelaide Longford and Graham Everly, Duke of Northfield. I have read the other books in this series but feel this can easily be a standalone book.
Adelaide is a Wallflower daughter of the former Earl of Longford and with does have a reputation to protect but with the Wallflower status makes it that not one really notices her. So Adelaide is allowed to pretend to be Lydia Ford and actress.
Graham was once engaged for 7 years to Margaret, in book two "Her Favorite Duke" Margaret and his best friend the Duke of Crestwood were caught in a compromising position and had to marry. It seems that Graham is taken the mistrust of his 13 year friends ship with Crestwood very hard.
When his other friends talk him into going to a theater to see a new actress that everyone is talking about he meets 'Lydia' who he is quickly drawn too. But she turns his attentions down after a hot and sensual kiss. But Graham thinks it might have woken him back up to enter into Society again. But at a ball he freezes of some when the Duke and Duchess of Crestwood come into the ball room. Graham knows he needs to dance or do something to change how he feels and goes to the Wallflower Section of the Ball Room and asked Adelaide to dance. Adelaide does agree and hopes he doesn't notice her but they talk and it sparks Graham to be attracted to her too.
How long can Graham go without catching on? Can he withstand another mistrust by someone he has grown to care about?
Loved their story!

Love this series! Graham is trying to get over the pain of being betrayed by one of his best friends and his fiancé. Adelaide is a wallflower but so much more. The story is fast-paced and the chemistry is steamy. I was hooked from beginning to end!

London at the Theatre: Graham leaned in to his friend Ewan and whispered,"Who is she?" Ewan answered in a note "Lydia Ford. She's the toast of the London Theatre at present. The reason why everyone wants to see this play." "Lydia," Graham repeated. "Beautiful," he whispered.. paraphrased and the moment Graham saw the actress on the stage.
But all is not as it appears, as "Lydia" is also Lady Adelaide, a bluestocking wallflower in her everyday life until she transforms on the stage! What Graham does not realize is that he has met Adelaide before but does not put the two together. Thus begins a dance between the two of roaring emotions and unbridled passion. But what will happen when he realizes these two ladies are the same?
A brilliant story with the most amazing Photos that took reading to a different level!! I hope this takes off because it really brought the story to even more life if that were possible! As you turn the pages and read a passage, there is a photo of "Graham and Adelaide" in a pose depicting that scene. It is hard to describe the feelings it brings about but it was perfect!
Jess Michaels is at her best with this story of redemption and finding love when least expected. Her stories always pull me in quickly with her gift of bringing the characters to life (especially with the illustrations!) and giving the reader everything needed in a historical romance. Intrigue, passion, deception, forgiveness and love. Do not miss this book. Even if you have read it before, it takes on a totally different level that will leave you breathless!