Member Reviews
How to Love a Duke in Ten Days was an amazing start to the Devil You Know series featuring a romance between a duke and a woman with a secret past.
Lady Alexandra Lane has learned to look out for herself, counting only on her two best friends. But Alexandra has a secret, one she's paying dearly for. With her family near bankruptcy and a blackmailer to pay, Alexandra comes up with a plan to save herself. She must marry one of England's most eligible bachelors, one with the reputation of a devil. Piers Gedrick Atherton, the Duke of Redmayne, has been planning his revenge for a long time and the first step is to find a bride. When Alexandra proposes marriage, Piers knows she's the answer to his plan. But when accidents begin to pile up around them, Piers is determined to keep his new bride safe.
Alexandra was a wonderful main character and I loved following her. She's incredibly bright and her passion for her work is wonderful to see as she really opens up when talking about it. Piers with his need for revenge came across as harsher than Alexandra's character and I liked their pairing in part because of the differences in their demeanors. Their marriage certainly comes about in an unconventional way and I loved how those scenes played out. The two form an excellent connection throughout the book although there were some moments where I wanted to shake some sense into them for their behavior towards each other. Ultimately I really liked their romance and I was happy with where their relationship was by the end of the book.
How to Love a Duke in Ten Days has a great suspense plot that I wasn't expecting when I picked the book up. The mystery was really interesting and I was intrigued by the idea someone was behind the numerous accidents surrounding the couple. Both Alexandra and Piers have things in their pasts that they would rather leave behind but for various reasons they've been unable to. I wondered which of their past issues was going to be the cause behind everything going on and I enjoyed how that situation played out. The reveals were well done and the ending had a great confrontation with those responsible. While the mystery plot was unexpected, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book.
Overall How to Love a Duke in Ten Days was a great read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, All Scot and Bothered, soon.
How To Love A Duke in Ten Days by Kerrigan Byrne is an amazing page turning historical romance. The story will enrapture you and you won't be able to put it down.
Highly Recommend it to all readers.
My sister adored this book and we’re normally on the same page. I just couldn’t get in to it. Maybe I’m in a book slump or just couldn't stay engaged. I normally love Kerrigan’s work. It just was too slow moving and a bit too triggering (SA). DNF @ 40%
DNF at 25%. It's been over three years since I received this ARC. I gave it a go and have decided it is not for me. It interested me then and no longer does now.
Apologies for the late response on this title, and apologies for clogging up an inbox on old titles.
While I am aware it's obvious, I have chosen not to read/review this title.
As always, I appreciate access to titles and look forward to the next one...which I have likely already read based on how long ago this title was published.
Thanks, again.
An wonderful story that will captivate your attention until the end! You’ll forget the world is going on around you as you immerse yourself in this story.
This is the first book in the devil you know series. Warning that there is sexual assault in the book which could be triggering to some.
I really enjoyed this book. Both of the main characters were well developed and the romance between the couple grew so naturally. There is mystery and intrigue as they work to discover who is behind the attempts on their lives. It keeps you guessing as to the culprit and their motivation right to the end.
I’m looking forward to reading the next book.
I very much enjoyed the friendship between the three friends and I liked the romance between the main couple. While the explicit rape was not a trigger for me, I would be hesitant to give this title to a patron without knowing a great deal about their preferences ahead of time.
***Trigger Warning: The opening scene of this book is a graphic rape scene.***
Lady Alexandra Lane is a young woman who experienced unspeakable trauma. It makes her uneasy around men and causes her to refuse the idea of intimacy or marriage. Her secret is one that many victims keep, and in the time period especially remains unspoken. Now, however, her secret could be revealed – and worse done – by a blackmailer.
She has the best of friends in Cecilia and Francesca. Together the three form The Red Rogues. Without them, Alexandra might not have survived her past. The trio are such great ladies and fantastic supports for one another. They would do anything for one another.
Piers Atherton, Duke of Redmayne, is a scarred man physically and emotionally. He presents this persona to the ton, but he is so much more. He is a sexy protector. He is hell-bent on revenge after his fiancé dumped and duped him. He is drawn to Alexandra. She is a strong and independent woman despite her past. With the threats of her blackmailer hanging over her head, Alexandra seizes a solution to her current and future problems.
The two marry and embark on the archaeological dig of a lifetime. For Alexandra, it is a dream come true and she is in her element. Unfortunately, the intimate parts of their marriage must wait on the expedition after some things go a little wayward between them – and while a killer is out to get them!
This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story.The side characters were such an integral part of this story as well. This is the love story i needed to read at this time. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you
This book was a great start to the series. I really loved the premise and the prologue was just so emotional and painful and tragic! Classic Kerrigan Byrne. However, I will say that the horrific on-page rape scene was too much for me and I was not expecting it.
I wanted to love this book so much but I just couldn't buy the romance between Alexandra and Piers - especially with Alexandra's past. To be honest, there was too much going on in so short a span of time that I wasn't engaged enough with their romance. I would have preferred that Alexandra to have a believable romance to a hero that is totally unlike Piers. He also has a backstory that is just...
I will be reading the rest of the books in this series, though. I definitely love Kerrigan's dark historical romances.
As I've learned to expect, a beautifully written and fun read. Bryne writes wonderfully believable stories with flawed but truly good heroes and heroines
Oh my. Why haven't I read any of the Kerrigan Byrne books I own before now? Are they all this good?
The prologue killed me and captivated me. If it had not been for having to work and sleep and feed myself, I would have read this in one sitting. As it is, I took half a day off work and read. Just because I loved Alexandra and Piers so stinking much! This was a little on the dark side due to subject matter and that both Piers and Alexandra had some secrets and were so closed off. But the sparks between them were out of this world. There toward the end I sobbed like a baby - that scene in the laundry room and afterwards in Alexandra's room did me in.
I am so glad I have the rest of the series. They will be read really soon :)
Another amazing story from Kerrigan Byrne. Despite the devastating prologue, I was pleasantly surprised by the heat between the characters. I always am slightly wary when a heroine has been abused in the past, and in this case I was glad that the times between Alexandra and Piers happened within a natural progression that still lent to steamy moments.
This was my first Kerrigan Byrne book and an author that delves a little darker in romance. This one starts out with a sexual assault, so beware of that going in. From there we go 10 years later when three friends are coming to terms with their past. This one follows Alexandra and the effects of what happened in the past. None of them ever want to get married but circumstances find Alexandra willing to take her friends place in marrying the Duke of Redmayne., otherwise know as the Terror of Torcliff. I liked these two characters together, I thought they were a good match. The Duke is more soft than he would like people to believe but he's also very tough. Alexandra is also tough. She's accomplished but scared of the intimacy that brews between them. I thought the dark undertones were well done but this was a little darker than I usually like for my romances to be. However, I did enjoy the mystery of the book and the action that follows in the end. I would be willing to give Byrne another try.
How to Love a Duke in Ten days is a bit of a predictable mystery, but the chemistry and emotion were beautiful and enchanting making this a must-read. Capturing the male psyche and point of view is often difficult, but Kerrigan Byrne handles her male characters in a meaningful way. Romantic heroes still need to be bold and virile, which can often lead to one-dimensional caricature, but not here, you couldn't help but root for Piers Alexandra is more of the classic smart woman who makes stupid decisions, but again written so well as to render her missteps relatable, I can't wait to read more of this series and more from this author.
I absolutely adore Kerrigan Byrne!!! I really really do! I recently got swept away in her Highwaymen series but this one might just be a new favorite of hers for me!! I loved the messages, the themes, the setting was BEAUTIFUL and omg did I love Piers!! I loved watching him and Alexandria fall in love. I’m a huge sucker for marriage of convenience as well so I just knew I was going to love this. The first scene in this book really had me hooked, even though it was so tragic. This author just has a way of creating such complex characters and that bring to life such a breathtaking story. I can’t wait to read more from her!!!
I absolutely loved this book. Kerrigan is always a 5-star author for me. She continues to provide unique content and excellent world building. I've loved everything about her writing since day one.
Started off with a rape scene and then a murder/coverup. Only went downhill for me after that.
I have read other titles by Ms. Byrne, but this one I just couldn't finish.
Thank you to St Martins Press for the ARC to read and review.
It is always a pleasure to read this author's books. Lots of romance and you do not want to stop reading.