Would I Lie To The Duke is a phenomenal historical romance by Eva Leigh. Ms. Leigh has given readers a well-written book. The characters are fun and entertaining. Jessica is from a farm that makes soap to support the family. When their soap making screeches to a halt due to a fire she takes a job as companion to a countess. She finds herself in London without her employer for two weeks and masquerades as a lady of the ton to try to get backing to rebuild the family business. Noel is a Duke handles his own investments. Jessica and Noel's story is loaded with drama, humor, lies, sizzle and just a little suspense. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Eva Leigh soon. Would I Lie To The Duke is book 2 of the Union of the Rakes Series but can easily be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

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

Eva Leigh does it again! This second book in the “Union of the Rakes” series delivers in all the ways you would expect from this author. I suspect that the overlap of “80s movie fans” and “historical Romance fans” is significant, and this book captures both genres (and all the delightful tropes) perfectly.

“Would I Lie to the Duke” manages to be a classic Romance while also taking some very nuanced digs at capitalism and economic inequity. The characters coming from different backgrounds provides a great opportunity to compare and contrast the lives of the wealthy versus those of the working class, a divide upon which the commentary is still very relevant. This theme, plus hot romance (all done through a highly feminist lens, focusing on consent) reminds us all the there is so much more to the “bodice rippers” than meets the eye.

I am sure I don't need to tell Eva Leigh fans that this one should be on your TBR list!

An excellent exploration of micro-economics, ethical consumption, and sex. I know Leigh said in the acknowledgments that she was glad her editor kept her from writing a thinly veiled critique of capitalism, but honestly with the times being what the are, I enjoyed the subtle digs.

As far as the romance goes, there was so much respect and consent, I swoon just thinking about it. The main characters have a nice bantering dynamic that turns into some light power play that I think the kink-curious will enjoy.

Other random things I enjoyed:
Ladyhawke
Rowe and Curtis (I pray to all the gods, real and fake, they get a book)
Lady Ferris (see you next, ma'am)

My goodness. This book was the best sort of surprising. For a good part of the book, I couldn't decide if I liked it. The heroine, Jess, has had a terrible time. Her parents have died leaving her to look after her sister and brother as well as their family's soap making business when even that suffers from a fire. Desperate, Jess heads to London where she tries to find an investor to rebuild and save her family's business. There she meets none other than Noel...a duke. The two are instantly attracted not just by their looks but also their wit. The problem...in her desperation, Jess ends up telling a lie about who she is. Noel has no idea about her real reasons for being in London or even that she isn't who she says she is...a lady.

I struggled at first because of Jess's lie. I felt horrid for the deception towards Noel and just found her so unlikable despite the circumstances. This is where Eva Leigh is just such a brilliant writer. The tension that builds through the book demands that you feel all the the things along with the characters. In the end, I found myself on edge hoping that somehow things will work out for Jess and Noel while it seemingly felt impossible that it could. It was the best sort of agony and brilliance that you want from a romance and so very, very well written. In addition, I loved how smart and enterprising Jess was. I really liked Noel and all his friends from Eton and cannot wait to read their stories in future books. While I struggled a bit with the deceptive part of this book I can appreciate that it is exactly what made the story so much more than it would have been. I gave this book 4 1/2 stars and rounded up to 5. Would I Lie to the Duke is one I would definitely recommend and will be reading more of Eva Leigh's books in the future.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a well written historical romance with strong characters and interesting storyline. I admired Jess's ambition to save her company by using her wit and intelligence. She meets her match in Noel who is very much like her. The only thing that seemed a bit out of place were the sexual erotica scenes that had more kink than expected in such a formal historical romance.
Overall it was well worth the read.

A woman, Jess, misrepresents herself to save her family business. A duke, Noel, finally allows himself to trust someone who does not try to profit from his station. They fall in love and must deal with the aftermath of Jess’s lies. I look forward to the next in the Union of the Rakes series. I received an ARC from NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for my honest review.

This novel was an enjoyable read. A strong-willed, intelligent woman whom will do anything to save her family's business. A rake, whom enjoys dabbling in investments, and does not trust easily. These two collide when struck by the other's intelligence and interests, as well an undeniable attraction. Jess poses as a widowed lady to gain entry to a business bazaar, where she can plot the seeds to for those to take an interest her family's soap making business. What she never expected was a duke who would respect her for her intellect, wit, and cleverness. Noel has never met a women whom he has chased, for usually they chase him. A woman that could go toe-to-toe with him has never been more attractive to him. But Jess is hiding her true motives for being at the bazaar, and it is tearing her apart because of he unexpected feelings for Noel. She sees the wonderful man is he underneath. Deceptions and lies have no room in Noel's life. As Jess comes closer to getting what she desires, will she hurt the man who has also taken her heart?
I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Breakfast Club-esque prologue of this title along with the scenes of Noel, Duke of Rotherby, and his friends are the absolute best things about this title. I laughed out loud for a few of these scenes, and they definitely have me excited for the next title in the series!!

I felt like Jessica’s side of the story was more compelling than Noel’s. I felt like she had far more to lose than he did and that she had more of a personality.

The only thing that kept me from giving this title 4 stars was the insta-lust that Noel and Jessica experienced. It really didn’t feel like there was much keeping them from acting on their attraction and that makes for a boring read for me.

I did find a possible side romance very, very interesting and I find myself wondering if Eva Leigh will resolve it in the next title or if it will have its own.

I loved the first title in this series and I’m very excited about the next title.

I was a bit wary at the beginning because a secret/white lie is a big part of the plot but I didn’t mind so much in the end. The secret was somewhat spur of the moment and I didn’t feel Jess’s goal was to deceive Noel. In many ways she tried to shield him from it. Regardless I really enjoyed both personalities of Jess and Noel in addition to their great chemistry.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC!

Jess’s family business has suffered a fire that has crippled their business. She has taken a job as a companion and in London while overseeing her employer’s home, comes up with a plan to save her family’s business. Once a year, there is a meeting of investors, including the Duke of Rothersby. Jess gains entry by posing as a widow of a baron. Her business acumen and intelligence gain her acceptance to the group, but also with Noel, the Duke.
A great story and interesting read!

Holy Steamy Book! When I read the first Union of Rakes book I kept screaming at the book..."WHEN ARE THEY GONNA KISS!" This book does not have any slow romance problems. Each of these Union of Rakes books pulls from a classic movie. The first book was very Can't Buy Me Love with a setup of the Union of the Rakes that is ripped from The Breakfast Club. Would I lie to the Duke pulls in the movie Working Girl. I loved the clever way we pulled in a heroine from the country that was whip smart and had a brain for finance. All of these books feel very modern because they have women with hobbies, thoughts, and agency. If you are looking to read a historical romance but you enjoy contemporary romance Eva Leigh's Union of Rakes is the perfect series to ease yourself into the historical world.

What would you do to save your family and the family business? Lie? Pretend to be someone you’re not?

In Eva Leigh’s newest addition to the Union of the Rakes, WOULD I LIE TO THE DUKE, business-woman Jessica McGale does both those things. While her employer is at her country estate tending to a sprained ankle, Jessica talks her way into THE BAZZAR, a collection of moneyed and titled investors whom she hope to convince to invest in her family business. Jessica is whip smart and financially brilliant and she catched the eye of Noel, Lord Rotherby. Instant attraction leads to Jessica’s plan being altered. She needs money but she needs to be in Noel’s arms more.

This may have been the hottest book I’ve ever read by Eva Leigh. There are wicked sexy parts complete with scenes I’ve never read in a regency before and which had me blushing in my own home!! In a good way.

How these two find their way to an HEA is a tortuous turn of emotions, revelations, lies, and acceptance.

A great read for this new addition to the UNION OF THE RAKES and I can’t wait for book 3!!

5 well deserved and sexy stars from me.

Thanks, Netgalley and Avon for a sneak peak at what is sure to be a summer 2020 hit with readers.

I was very much looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, this book is beset by several problems. The first is Noel who is the hero. I would say Noel has the personality of a door but that would be an insult to doors. I don't have any understanding of what makes him tick. Jess seems to be motivated mostly by her desire to get her family farm up and running but she is about as smart as my dog. (I don't have a dog.) Confess to Noel. Ask him for a loan. Stop stealing your employers clothes. End of story.

Because the characters are so poorly developed, and the story so poorly paced, the romance has no spark. I finished this book but I was just going through the motions. I really enjoy this author's work but this one is a miss.

Having recently rewatched the 80s classic Working Girl, I enjoyed this novel based loosely on its plot. Jess McGale is a farmer's daughter, struggling to revive her family's soap-making business. She comes to London in search of funding, and pretends to be the widowed "Lady Whitfield" in order to gain entry to a business investment bazaar. Also present at the bazaar is Noel, Duke of Rotherby. There's an instant attraction between them, but Jess can't afford to get distracted from her aim. And Noel isn't looking for anything serious, but can't stop thinking about the sharp-witted lady.

The Working Girl Easter eggs throughout were a lot of fun--I won't spoil them, but I encourage you to check out the movie, too. This was an entertaining read, with fast pacing and plenty of action. The main couple had great chemistry and terrific banter.