This is a beautiful story filled with emotion, reconciliation, and adjustment. Jon, Duke of Blackmore and Arabella Jennings, daughter of the new Earl of Barrington, are intelligent, strong, and brave, except when it comes to each other. It’s like they have an emotional loves me, love me not going on. Fortunately, they have wonderful friends and family to encourage and support them as they learn to know and trust each other. Remarkable story, awesome characters. Great read. This series just keeps getting better. I can’t wait to see what’s next.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

This is the fourth book of the Dukes of Distinction series but can be read as a standalone.

Jonathan Sutton, Duke of Blackmore, wants to settle down and marry after seeing his other three duke friends find love. On the first ball of the season, he meets Arabella Jennings. Arabella's father, the fourth son of an earl and former Oxford don, has just inherited the Earl of Barrington after the death of all his brothers. So she's very unfamiliar with all the ton rules and a bit out of her element.

Jon pursues Arabella right after meeting her; she doesn't think they are suited and fights the attraction. This book is happening at the same time as book three. So when Weston finally gets engaged to his lady, Jon has an attack of consciousness and breaks off his pursuit of Arabella. So I really liked the story that came after this part. In the first part of the book, Jon was a bit superficial and too eager to please Arabella.

I loved the story more when he had to work to win Arabella. It added more tension to their romance and upped the stakes. I have said this before, but I love that Aston writes about the characters' years before they meet. It gives you a nice glimpse into their history, and it's a great way to set up their character development. Seeing Jon's relationship with his twin and then his grief years later made the story all the more real. I also loved that Jon and Arabella's relationship had a lot of substance since they both had intellectual interests.

Duke of Arrogance is another great installment in the Dukes of Distinction series! I really enjoyed the first three books, but this one may be my favorite. Arabella is such a breath of fresh air as a historical romance heroine. Unlike the women in the previous books (who are all strong and intelligent women themselves) Arabella doesn't have a tragic story prior to meeting Jon. The death of her mother may be brushed over a little too quickly, but after the losses experience by Sam, Phoebe, and Elise it was nice to have a heroine not weighed down by her past. I also loved her quick wit - I almost cheered out loud when she stood up for herself (and Jon) with Lady Walton. All of the heroes in the previous books had something in their past that helped shaped who they were at the beginning of their stories, but Jon's is definitely the saddest. When it was revealed the real reason he doesn't think he is good enough for Arabella is that he doesn't love himself my heart broke a little for him. His relationship with his sister and cousin are really sweet. I appreciated that his lapse in judgment over Arabella didn't last long (and that she didn't go out of her way to make things too easy for him in winning her back) and that the situation with Lady Walton was quickly resolved rather than being drawn out for too long. I can't wait for the final book in the series (and am hoping it involves Elizabeth)!

Jonathan Sutton, through fate, is a second son. His older twin, Arch is the heir apparent and the apple of their father’s eye. Jonathan is on his way home to check on his brother. Arch became ill at school and was set home. Only Jonathan doesn’t realize it was to allow his brother to die at home. Another unfortunately twist of fate allows Jonathan to become the Duke of Blackmore.
Arabella Jennings is the much beloved daughter of an Oxford don. Her father has not only encouraged her to learn, her allows her to write his lectures and to discuss topics with his students. Upon the death of his three older brothers, he is now a member of the peerage. And Arabella must prepare for a London Season.
The two cross paths at the first ball of the Season. Jon is intrigued by this highly educated female and Arabella isn’t too sure what to think of him. But, the death of Arch weighs heavy on Jon and he knows that he can never wed and can never forgive himself for his actions. Arabella doesn’t understand how Jon can want her at one moment and turn away from her the next. Will the machinations of his sister and his friends finally bring them together?

This is one author who successfully writes in a series. This book is definitely a stand alone story, but it is also one of a series. I remember reading the first story and I am happy to be able to read this story. They are all wonderful, original stories and this was one also.
The hero is featured first with the story starting when he is 16 years old and coming home from school, about to go to university. His twin was sent home a few months earlier with an illness. When the hero arrives home, he immediately goes to see his twin. He is shocked to see how ill, almost on death, his twin is. He is covered with sores and in indescribable pain. He caught syphilis from a brothel that his father, the duke, took him to on his 16th birthday. Our hero was a second son and his father hated him. The hero's twin begs his brother for relief of the pain and agonizing death he is facing by helping him take a cup of laudanum. The hero does as his twin asks, because he could never tell his twin no. The heroine's story starts out many years later, when her father, a university don, gets some news. She spends her days researching and helping her father write lectures. She even attends his lectures in person, which is unheard of. Women are not allowed in lectures, ever. But her father allows it and they do not get in trouble. The news for her father, a fourth son, is that all of his brothers have passed over the past 2 years, and he is now an earl and his daughter is a 'Lady'. She promised her mother she would do a 'season' when her mother was sick and dying. So, at age 24, she makes her debut. And even though she is a confident, educated woman, the ton is harsh and she hides in the library.
And the story just keeps getting better!! This author is just a good as other series writers like Celeste Bradley, Elizabeth Hoyt or Eloisa James. This story has a few spelling errors, but the story makes up for that. It kept me spellbound, and I couldn't put it down. The descriptive settings and well developed characters made me feel like I was there. This was a 5 star read from the first page to the last. I recommend reading and try out the rest of the series also.

Alexa Aston continues to write such wonderful stories for her Dukes of Distinction series. This time it's the Duke of Arrogance whose story is told and honestly, all I wanted to do was hold Jonathan and tell him everything was going to be all right!!! I actually shed tears for him for what he'd gone through because of his twin.

The characters become so realistic as you read their story and you can't help but be completely immersed in their lives. I loved Jon, no matter how arrogant he could be, and I also loved Arabella in all her honesty, wit and intelligence. Together they are the perfect couple, if only Jon would open up his heart and let her in. Be prepared for balls, tea parties, rides in Hyde Park, as well as how vicious the ton can be! If I would have been Arabella, I would have given up on it all! lol I also enjoyed seeing characters from the previous books make appearances.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Alexa Aston's series "The Dukes of Distinction" has become one of my favorite historical romance series. Every book I say to myself "This one is my favorite!" Then the next book comes out, and that one is my favorite. Each Duke and heroine are well thought out and distinct characters. The plots are fun and include the characters from the previous books, although each book can be read as a standalone.

This book is the story of Jon, the Duke of Blackmore, and Lady Arabella Jennings. Arabella's father was a don at Oxford, the fourth son of an Earl, and through a series of deaths becomes the Earl of Barrignton. Arabella is every bit the bluestocking and more intelligent than most men. When she is shunned at her first ball, she takes refuge in the library where the Duke of Blackmore stumbles upon her and is instantly intrigued.

The tropes are class difference and independent heroine. I eagerly await the next book in the series and hope there is a happy ending coming for the sister of the Duke of Blackmore, Elizabeth, because she as a a character really spoke to me. This book was a five star read for me and hit all the emotions a historical romance novel should. A lovestruck, somewhat tortured hero, a strong, a fun friends group and a man who goes after what he wants.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋

A real moody Duke for you in this one, he reckons he has it made, rules the Ton.
Little do the Ton know they aren’t seeing the real man. It’s an act, but why?

Emotional and beautiful chemistry between Jon and Arabella, both have had challenging pasts, both need someone to show them they fit in, are loved, who better than each other.

Really great story to keep you hooked and happy, Alexa never fails to deliver on the emotion and passion.
Five Stars

I received an Arc copy of this book and chose to post this review

This is a great read to make sure you are going to be happy with the story.
Jon and Arabella's story made a good read. You never knew what would happen next.
Alexa Aston writes a good storyline.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Type: Ebook download

Posted on Instagram tonight to coincide with the release date:

Text included in the Instagram Post on @TheLonelyGirlLibrary

The Duke of Arrogance • RELEASE: June 6 • From Dukes of Distinction
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I go silly for historical romances. And this is about a duke and he’s arrogant. Both traits I look for in my book boyfriends. Need I say more?
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So first things first: there is a quick succession of deaths in the book that at first I was like “Surely not another one”, but then that quickly became “well I mean life expectancy wasn’t great then was it?” But there was something about each character that I adored.
👀I already know there are others within the series that I am dying to get my hands on. Each duke carries a moniker that is his identity within the ton. For example, duke of arrogance is aptly named due to his persona within polite society. Even though, as the second son of a father with little interest for his spare and only eyes for his heir, he has a tenderness and consideration that goes beyond birthright. And an unexpected lady with little interest in polite society (for a hot minute I was sure it was going to be a “I’m not like other girls” moment, thankfully not) who craves intellect and knowledge and has little understanding of manners within the ton makes me like her even though at times I find her far too naive. Their relationship was endearing though I did experience whiplash thanks to the Duke 🥰
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🔁TLDR Wrap-Up: An arrogant Duke and an unexpected lady give me fireworks and I want more.
(Please note: I am aware of the grossly toxic masculinity within historical fiction, however, I revoke my feminist card for a moment to read it and enjoy it.)
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📚Similar authors: Anna Campbell
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Thank you to @netgalley and @dragonbladepublishing for letting my get my eager hands on #TheDukeOfArrogance it was very appreciated 😍

This is my fair and honest review, voluntarily given and in my own words, for this ARC. I think I have read all of this series, so far, and really find the entire series just enchanting. Character carry over throughout and there are so many different scenarios and solutions to be had. Well written and lots of fun to read.

Arabella is one of Author Alexa Astons strongest female characters ever! I laughed out loud at her caginess, brainiac mind, sauciness, and the quips just when she needs them to get her point across!
Jonathan Sutton is a rogue of the highest level, but he has designs on Arabella!

Sparks, intrigue, secrets, and what you will happen might not! This book I read straight through because it kept me glued into my chair and my husband willingly got my drinks and snacks because I was so absorbed and he said I had a euphoric look!

I definitely would recommend this book!

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

I got an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and it has in no way influenced my opinions on this book.

My first book by Alexa Aston, and I know for certain it won't be my last. I loved it, Both the Duke of Blackmore and Lady Arabella came into their titles accidentally. The Duke has a dark secret, the beginning of the book starts with the secret, and its intense, afterwards it gets more pleasant to say the least. It was love at first site but neither knows it just yet, Blackmore asks to court her father to court her on the first night. Then later feels he isn't good enough for her, and leaves her, later does he realize that she's the woman for him and woos her back in his life.

I will not ruin this for anyone, but epilogue was perfect at the end. The author did an amazing job developing all the characters, even though this is the forth book in the series it doesn't lack anything- which at times happens when reading a series.

This book I couldn't keep down and its most certainly worth the read.

Archie and Jonathan Sutton were identical twins and Jon always took the punishment for them both. He loved his brother and couldn't stand to see him hurt. His father had nothing to do with Jon, he was a second son, and his sister well, She was a girl. Archie was the heir and eventually the duke. So his father took him everywhere when they were not in school. His father took him to a brothel. Two months before the end of school, Archie broke out in this horrible rash, blisters all over the place, and white spots in his mouth. He was sent home with great sped. At the end of school, he hurried home and his brother had been installed into the dowager house and was extremely ill.
Arabella Jennings was the daughter of an Oxford don. He had received bad news of his clergyman brother had died. He really didn't know his brothers they were more than a decade older than he. He was the fourth son and with the age difference, her father was not close to his brothers. She wasn't interested in the ton and love being her dad's assistant. She would sit in the back of his classes, attended small seminars, and writing his lectures, she had a full life. A solicitor came to their house and told her father his brothers had died and he was the new earl. He was flabbergasted.
I really enjoyed this story. I ended staying up all night reading and for us old folks that is not good. But the book was that good. The characters were amazing even the servants wanted to protect Jon and Arabella. They were good to almost everyone. She could not understand what was so hard to thank someone for giving her a towel or giving her pins for her hair. She was kind and gracious as was Jon. His friends seemed very helpful and the author did a wonderful job writing this great novel. It is for the over eighteen bunch. I recommend this this highly.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Release date: May 6, 2021

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫/5 Stars
Steam: 🌶🌶 🌶/5

This is the fourth book in the Dukes of Distinction series. However, that did not make me understand this book any less. It holds up good as a stand alone. There are mentions of the other Dukes, but nothing confusing that would make it hard to just read this one.

This books starts out really interesting. Both the love interests are thrust into new roles in society due to tragic circumstances. Jon a Duke and Arabella the daughter of the newly appointed Earl.

Arabella has never been out in “polite society” before so she doesn’t know most of the rules of the Ton. This makes for some really great scenes.

Points for insta attraction by the love interests. I also really enjoy the banter between these two characters. Arabella is such a strong female and I love it. Jon’s sister Elizabeth also was such a good character and I loved reading scenes that had her in it.

The writing of this book was excellent, it was fast paced and kept me interested throughout! I felt the love interests had great chemistry!

4.5 stars
as I would have liked some scenes to have been a bit longer, especially scenes with the two main characters in conversations, as these parts were so fun in the book. I also think some plot points could have been flushed out more. But overall a really great read.

After reading this, I want to check out the other books in this series!

This book was a cute, steamy, short historical romance! This book is 230 pages so it’s perfect for a short, steamy romantic summer read.

Thanks to NetGalley,
Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

4.5 stars

A Good story. Jon is an identical twin. His father favours his elder brother, the heir, but this favouritism leads to disasterous health problems for Arch. Jon rapidly goes from the despised spare to the Duke and this means he carries within himself awful guilt. This leads to him appearing arrogant and leading a rakish life. Arabella is the well educated daughter of a fourth son. Her father surprisingly inherites the earldom and Arabella is catapulted into the ton. She struggles not knowing the social etiquette and due to her fathers ignorance she is shunned. and has to endure catty behavious from Jon's ex lover.. Luckily Jon comes to the rescue and finds her both interesting and alluring. I liked both characters though Arabella came out on top for me. Her intelligence shone through and she treats situations with diligence. Jon acts as an idiot in the middle but quickly realises that he needs Arabella's suport The only thing that irked me was the cover design, what is going on ? The big passion only happens towards the end. In my opinion, to entice jaded romance palates, why not have them playing chess! Another great addition to Alexa's Duke series.

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

Jonathan Sutton loves his twin brother. He would willingly die for him, or kill for him. Arch is the heir and Jon the spare, which means their father is only interested in Arch and ignores Jon when he isn't criticizing him.

A terrible tragedy means a new Duke with a heavy burden to carry.

Arabella Jennings is the daughter of an Oxford Don who suddenly finds himself an Earl. The big changes in their lives will take all her intelligence to find a way through.

Polite society can be harsh to those who don't fit in.

Our hero has done his best to live the way his brother would want, but now it's time yo be himself.

Our heroine finds that her education doesn't help her navigate her new surroundings.

There are wonderful characters in this historical romance. Some of the secondary ones you might have met in previous books. You can still easily read this book as a stand alone without spoiling the others in the series.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this and the previous ones and will definitely read the rest of the series.

Great fun.

Arabella and Jon's story is so sweet. I had so many feelings about both of their treatments as a child and now. It's great when true love wins.

Life radically changes for Arabella Jennings, the daughter of an Oxford don, when her father becomes the Earl of Barrington. She’s an intellectual who would rather be discussing Shakespeare’s works but now finds herself navigating the vicious waters of Polite Society. Jonathan Sutton never expected to become the Duke after all he’s the spare born seven minutes after the heir. Then his brother Arch dies closely followed by his father, making him the new Duke of Blackmore. Pledging to live for both himself and Arch, Jon becomes one of London’s leading rakes, breaking rules and bedding women as his brother would have done had he lived. Jon meets Arabella the first night of the Season in the library where they discuss Shakespeare and he decides this woman, so different from every conquest he’s made, might help him from the abyss he’s sunk into.
This is the fourth book in this engrossing series. I'm loving the series & have found all four books very hard to put down. I started & ended this book by crying but in between laughed & thoroughly enjoyed the verbal banter. I loved both of them, he’s riddled with guilt living his life for Arch, she's the feisty intelligent woman together they complement each other perfectly. Their chemistry sizzles. We also catch up with characters from previous books, which I also love. I also really liked Elizabeth & Arthur – I’d love for them to have their HEAs
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Beautifully written and romantic, I found myself reaching for the box of tissues more than once. Jon, the Duke of Blackmore, has had more than his share of heartache and pain, and like many, he buries it under obnoxious behavior. However, in Arabella Jennings, he discovers a refreshing change in the usual young women of the ton. She is not jaded, nor does she try to entrap him, but is rather appalled to realize that her unsophisticated ways are earning her the scorn of society. Taking Arabella under his wing launches her into a new entirely different world, one that wins her friends but enemies as well. I love the main characters in this book and was pleased to meet up with the other Dukes and their wives once more, making this a most enjoyable book. I received a copy of this highly entertaining romance through Dragonblade Publishers and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.