I have been waiting for Finchs story and this is what I got, ugh! Finch comes off as a narcistic jerk throughout the entire story. There is very little romance. With the childhood trauma eluded to throughout the story, it really made the book feel very dark and depressing.

Alexa Aston is one of my favorite authors. Her Lawmen of the West and Hollywood Name Game series are my favorites! I also really like her historical romances and this one is just as good as you would hope for in the Duke's Gone Wrong series. I like this series so much, that not only did I get an advanced copy on NetGalley, but I purchased them all for myself as well because I just love this author.

I loved this new addition to the Duke's Gone Wrong series. So happy to finally read Finch's story. Like his friends before him, Finch inherits a Dukedom following the tragic suicide of his older brother. He meets Victoria, a widow returning to polite society following mourning, who is set on obtaining a husband in order to have the children she's always hoped for. As her husband was killed by a whore, she is looking for a kind and gentle husband the second time around and she feels Finch just may be what she's looking for. Their chemistry is immediate. I highly recommend this as well as the previous books in the series. Ms. Aston is a marvel!!
Thank you Alexa Aston, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

I've been waiting for Finch's story for quite a while and was thrilled to finally read it. The last of the five Turner Terrors to meet his match, Finch has been the most mysterious of the lot. He never shared with his friends the reason that he was sent to the Turner Academy, a boarding school. And unlike his friends, he remained behind as a vicar after university, while the other four entered the military like all second sons were expected to do. As each Terror met and married the woman of his dreams, Finch was there to perform the service and celebrate the joys, but he never showed any interest in accepting joy into his own life.

In this story, Finch--like his friends before him--unexpectedly inherits a dukedom. He goes to London to participate in the Season, though he never intends to marry or have children. He also never expects to meet someone like Victoria, a recent widow whose husband died a most scandalous death at the hands of a prostitute. The two hit it off instantly, but Finch runs hot and cold. Victoria, already on shaky terms with the ton because of her husband murder, senses that Finch's reticence stems from something in his past and not because he doesn't care for her. However, she longs to remarry and hopefully have children.

What holds Finch back is a horrific backstory involving child abuse (I'll add a more specific trigger warning at the end of this review). Finch feels that his past makes him unworthy of a woman like Victoria. Everyone sees that the two belong together, but Finch just can't seem to take that leap of faith.

Eventually the two find their way to their HEA, which is not a spoiler to announce. After all, this story is Regency romance. It just takes since a while for Finch to open up to Victoria. That said, his healing seems to happen a little faster than one would expect. I think that had Victoria learned the truth a little earlier and more time had been spent on the two of them working through things together, it might have felt more complete. However, I give the author, Alexa Aston HUGE props for tackling such a difficult backstory.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Trigger warning: Child physical and sexual abuse in a character's past, broadly alluded to for most of the story and then described in detail towards the end.

Ms. Aston is a new-to-me author, but being a fan of Regency romance, I was excited to try her new book, and I was not disappointed. This is the the fifth book of her Dukes Gone Wrong series. This was a story filled with heartwrenching emotion and I could not put it down. William Finchley, referred to by everyone as Finch, has been estranged from his family since the time he was sent to Turner Academy as a child. When his brother commits suicide, he becomes the new Duke of Sommersby. He has been living with a dark secret from his past, which he has not even shared with his closest friends. Although he enters into society, he has no intention of marrying and having children, until he meets Victoria. She makes him question everything he believes. Victoria has been linked to scandal, thanks to her late husband. All she wants is to find a kind and caring man for a husband. Finch's story was heartbreaking to read, but the caring and compassion that Victoria showed him was just beautiful. I really enjoyed this story and the characters. They were so well-defined and relatable and you can't help but fall in love with them. This is the last book of the series and I have not read any of the others, but I will definitely be going back to read those as well.
A very well-written story and I am happy to have had the chance to read!

Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing and Netgalley for providing a complimentary copy. This is my voluntary and honest review.

The Dukes Done Wrong Series is about five 10 year old boys sent to the Turner Academy by their families for things they were accused of but never did. We never knew Finch's story until now. What an emotional read. Alexa Aston conveys all of Finch's trauma, doubts, fears, and insecurities in this story. Alexa definitely takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions.
Finch does not believe he can love until he meets Victoria Samuel, Lady Pemberton. Victoria also had a disastrous first marriage. However, Victoria is strong enough to believe in her love for Finch.
Amazing writing Alexa!

Destiny with a Duke by Alexa Aston
Dukes Done Wrong #5

Dark and difficult at times with a delicious soupcon of hope – this book is the only one that I have read in the series, was able to read it without having read previous ones, but also believe I would enjoy reading to find out more about the other four Turner Terrors.

What I liked:
* William “Finch” Finchley: reserved, generous, kind, artistic, second son, lost his father at young age, difficult childhood, made friends at school that became his family, a bit broken, has much to overcome, able to forgive some things but not all
* Victoria, Lady Pemberton: wise, kind, caring, sold by her father to an older man, widowed, childless, wants a family, returns for the season to find a husband, has a difficult backstory but hopes to find happiness in the future
* The Terrors and their wives: good people that have stories of their own, there for one another, help the underdog, would like to know more about them
* Rufus: William’s valet, humorous, wise, gives good counsel, liked him and if the author were to write a story about the working class wouldn’t mind seeing him as the star in one a book of his own
* Victoria’s aunt and uncle: good people with warm hearts and open arms willing to take Victoria in and help her settle happily
* The way the secret issue in William’s past was dealt with in the story
* Knowing that the Terrors had each other to lean upon through school and beyond
* That Victoria and William had common ground and were well suited for one another

What I didn’t like:
* William’s grandfather, Victoria’s father and her husband – for a number of reasons
* Knowing that women in the era of this story were without recourse and that men were all powerful whether the woman was high or low born.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

This is a new to me author i found in 2021 and I have loved everything i have read including this book. This is the first of the series that i read but i am tempted to read the backlist.
The characters are well defined , i do think the resolution in the end came to quick but rest of the book was amazing.

Can Love Mend His Damaged Soul?

Finch has a secret—a devastating secret that he refuses to share with his closest friends. All of them share why they are sent to Turner Academy, a school for troubled boys, except for him. What is his dreadful secret, and will the truth make those dearest to him love him any less? This story will break your heart, but never underestimate the healing power of love. When Finch meets Victoria, he wants to keep her at arm’s length. He thinks he is much too damaged to deserve a woman like her. However, his heart has other plans. Can Victoria help Finch to find love? Can she help him to find the balm that would heal his soul? This is an emotional story. It is not a lighthearted romance. It is a tale of love, hope, healing, and redemption.

William Finchley has never spoken of his past to his closest friends, the Turner Terrors, who he spent his childhood with. Yet when his brother commits suicide, Finch becomes the new Duke of Sommersby. Never planning to marry, he is completely unprepared for meeting Lady Victoria Pemberton. Having returned to Polite society, a year after mourning her husband who was murdered, Victoria hopes to marry again and have children. Victoria falls in love with Finch, but he is reluctant to pursue her, feeling himself unworthy.
In the past four books, the men have always commented that they did not know why Finch was sent to the Turner Academy. When he reveals his secret to Victoria, it is completely understandable. It was particularly heart-warming to see their love for each other grow, despite the traumatic nature of Finch’s past. Again, seeing all the men and their wives together, makes this an enjoyable read. However, this book can be read as a stand-alone.
It is important to comment that there are many issues, that might be confronting for readers.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I recieved a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the last book in the series and the one I have been waiting for. I didn't feel like the last two were that strong but Finch has been a present yet mysterious character throughout the series.
Finch like the other boys was sent to Turner Academy where they formed a lifelong bond as second sons accused horrible crimes. Unlike the other Terrors Finch became a vicar instead of a soldier. Unlike his brother dies and he becomes a duke.
Victoria was forced to marry her fathers friend. After his murder, she was determined to marry again and have a child.
Overall I liked Finch and Victoria's story but there were definitely parts that were just slow and boring.
Finch does have a real reason to be afraid to marry but I feel like the ending was just the cliche needing the love of a good woman. That trope sucks when a woman just needs a man and so does the reverse.
I am glad Finch got a HEA.

This book broke my feelings. I’ve been dying to get Finch’s story and wow he was worth the wait. The perfect way to finish out the series.

Destiny With a Duke by Alexa Aston is the climactic end of the Dukes Done Wrong series featuring the Turner Terrors as each became a duke and found the love of his life. Now it is Finch's turn and he is heart-broken when he discovers his brother has committed suicide. The solicitor brings as letter at the same time he breaks the news to Finch. Finch is again heart-broken when he reads his brother's words, detailing the same abuse at his grandfather's hands that Finch had received. Cyril had turned to food and become incredibly obese which had lead to other problems, culminating in his choice of escape. Now Finch was the Duke of Sommersby, although he could not stand to be called by that name. Lady Victoria Pemberton was a widow, her husband had died over a years earlier at the hands of a prostitute. His tastes apparently ran to hurting others and maybe her hurt her too much. Who knew? All she knew was, that despite the gossip, she was going to London to participate in the season and find a husband who would give her a child. She wanted children more than anything. She met Finch at the fist ball and there was an instant attraction. More importantly, the wives of his friends, the other Turner Terrors, took her under their wings, protecting her from the worst of the gossip, and her first four dances were with their husbands. Dancing with four dukes solidified her attractiveness and her dance card was always full. But Finch could never marry. He could not fool her on that point, so he left.

We have wondered for the previous four books what Finch had done to be sent tot he Turner Academy and now we know his story. Aston did not hold back in the telling of it. The damage was probably even greater than what she portrayed to us and what a heart-wrenching story it is. And what a strong women Victoria is to be willing the love Finch through all of it. The society at this time is even more buttoned up than ours is and women were hidden behind closed doors and not able to be part of many things that were happening. For many years the old Duke of Sommersby had kept Finch's mother away from her sons with threats, making everything so much worse for two small boys. This is a fabulous series and this final book deserves accolades far beyond what I am able to give in this simple review. Amazing! Astounding!

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Destiny With a Duke by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dragonblade #alexaaston #destinywithaduke

This highly anticipated last book of the series was well worth the wait, Alexa Aston does a superb job of giving readers one of the most emotional and beautifully written stories of the bunch.
Finch had always kept his reason of why he was sent away to Turner Academy a secret and for good reason. The writing of the issue is done very well here, with sensitivity and all the emotion. The inner turmoil of Finch is so very relatable and understandable. The one thing I didn't quite buy was the immediate acceptance of his mother and her family just because Victoria told him to make amends. Yes, he saw things from her perspective but I would think after so much pent-up anger, forgiveness wouldn't come so easy.
Victoria is trying to return to society with her head held high after the murder of her husband by a prostitute. She was sheltered and in a loveless marriage, all's she wants is her happy ending.
I honestly did not care for Victoria. I think there was way too much mentioning and emphasis placed on the need for a husband and the need to have children before she is too old. This made her seem petty and that she was only out for a man. True she didn't care for titles, but she was desperate and on the hunt and while Finch and her work out, I think she needed to be written a bit better for him.

Overall this is a fantastic book that you do not want to pass up reading. It is a stand-alone but it does help to have read the previous ones. It is a slow-burn, sweet romance with strong writing and very well put together.
I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review.

This has been an amazing series and this has to be my favorite, although the most emotional as Finch's story is revealed.

Finch is the last of the 5 boys that had been sent away to a school for supposedly unspeakable crimes. He had been the quietest and had not revealed what he had been accused of erroneously.

Now, he inherits the Dukedom that he never wanted and was forced into taking his rightful place in the Ton.

Victoria was finally back into society after the mourning period on the death of her despicable husband.

Can these two heal each other and find happiness? An rollercoaster of intense feelings revealed, a wounded hero who may never come back to life and a determined lady who perseveres regardless! One of my favorite stories of the year!

I have been waiting to find out Finch's story since he was introduced in the first Dukes Done Wrong book and the final reveal did not disappoint. A warning to readers though, his backstory is much darker and more traumatic than that of his friends. I completely understood why he was resistant to marriage (even after meeting Victoria who was obviously his other perfect other half), but I still want to smack him upside the head every time he broke her heart. I liked Victoria from the first moment and loved that she did not give up on Finch even when he refused to open up and set out to abandon her. She was patient and understanding and made it possible for Finch to come to terms with everything in his own time. And of course I loved the other dukes and their wives, especially how Emery spoke her mind with Finch while assuring him that he was still loved.

There was only one thing that I felt was a missed opportunity by the author: the bitchy women who are cruel to Victoria regarding her deceased husband never get their comeuppance (the same thing happened in Olivia & Hart's tale) - what can I say, I'm petty and like to see people who are mean to my characters get what they deserve.

This was another great series by Ms. Aston and I am very looking forward to see what she gifts us with next!

5 enthusiastic stars!!! I was so happy to finally read this book. The last book of any series is so tricky to write and there was so much buildup for Finch's story over the first 4 books. I have to confess I went directly to the end of the book first to see how everything resolved then I sat down to start from the beginning.

Finch, a grandson of an abusive duke, is sent to the Turner academy with his fellow terrors at the age of 10. He never tells them what happened and it creates some mystery about his past and his character. Settled happily as a vicar for the parish on the property of the Turner Academy's sponsors, the quiet life he's resigned to is disrupted with the death of his brother, the current duke. Lady Victoria, fresh off an oppressive marriage to an older man, is looking for a husband she can build a life and have children with. It's an instant connection when Victoria and Finch, now Duke of Sommersby, meet in a ballroom.

I love how Finch can't stay away from Victoria. I also love how they both had histories they were trying to overcome. It put them on equal footing and made their connection much sweeter. When I finally found out Finch's secret, it wasn't as much of a shock. I will say - trigger warning. It's very detailed. Victoria becomes a healing presence and loving her finally allows Finch his happiness. I also loved how strong willed Victoria is despite her background, she's ready to fight for Finch when his demons threaten to destroy them. I really loved this couple and found their story to be very realistic. This was probably my favorite in the series.

William Finchley never expected to inherit the dukedom especially since he's been estranged from his family since he was sent to Turner Academy as a child. With the help of his fellow Terrors, he begins to understand the duty and responsibility of being a duke, but he has a secret, one he's never told anyone. It haunts him still. When he meets Victoria, Lady Pemberton, she is the first woman he's ever felt desire for. He has vowed never to marry, but sweet and elegant Victoria tempts him like no other. Can he open his heart to this amazing woman or will he forever be haunted by his past?

This is the last book in this series and one that I had waited anxiously to read. I had guessed what Finch's secret was, but Ms. Aston writes with such emotion that I wanted Finch to overcome his trauma so badly. It is such a serious issue and it's no wonder Finch is haunted by what happened to him even years later. Victoria has her own trauma from her last marriage and she is also a fragile soul. The author does a great job of letting their chemistry shine through, but there is no easy HEA for this couple. My heart broke for Finch as he tried to tell Victoria his secret. The book is full of angst and heartbreak, but Ms. Aston is a great storyteller. Having the four other dukes a big part of the book was delightful to see how they also overcame the trauma of their childhood and married for love. This book can be read as a stand alone, but to get the full story of how the Terrors came to be such good friends, I would suggest reading all the books in the series.

This is the fifth and final book in a series but also reads well as a stand-alone. Finch and Victoria are two wounded souls, but he in particular believes he can never escape his past. Needless to say, a lot of angst ensues, although their happy ending is never in doubt. This is a lovely tale of two people learning to trust in each other and ultimately reaching for love.

Victoria Samuel, Lady Pemberton, is a widow with a scandal attached to her late husband. All she wants is to forget her past and find a kind man for a husband to give her children. One of the Turner Terrors, William Finchley lives with the shame and darkness of his past.
A secret he has never revealed to his closest friends. Making a life for himself as a vicar, he vowed to never marry and have children. Unexpectedly his older brother commits suicide. Finch is the new Duke of Sommersby. At his first ball, Finch meets Victoria and she puts everything he believed into question.
I suspected where this book was going from the beginning. Child abuse is hard to read about even in a book you know will have a happy ending. All the agonizing turmoil! Fortunately, Finch meets the only woman with enough love and compassion to help him. An absolutely great book to end the series.
This book may have triggers, read with caution.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.