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Lucas Pemberton, the Duke of Dorman, and Lady Harriet Dudley had been on the cusp of engagement when Harriet’s cruel father weds her to another man. Five years later, Harriet is a widow, and Lucas has vowed never to love again. Through the distraction of many occurrences like racing horses and unexpected wards, Lucas and Harriet must find their way back to each other.

I will first say I adored the first two books in this series; in fact, they were both five-star reads. I wanted to love this book, but I couldn’t. I felt the subplots of the racing horse and unexpected wards convoluted the plot. I would guess that the couple was on the page with each other, maybe thirty percent of the book. I loved all the secondary characters; they were vivid and memorable; however, they overshadowed Lucas and Harriet’s romance. The plot moved well but at times felt disjointed. I would have loved much more focus on the development of Lucas and Harriet’s relationship. The couple was not on the page together enough to get a sense of chemistry.

The Duke Of Disorder is the third book in The Rakes Of Mayhem series. I loved the premise of the childhood friends that each finds love. The first two books blew me away. I did enjoy reading about the previous friends in this book, and the depth of their friendship was a joy to read. Also, I thought the book did a great job at closure for the series, everything ended splendidly, and I was happy all the friends found happiness. I would recommend this book because it does wrap everything up nicely. I love Anna St. Claire’s writing style and character development; usually, the romance shines through. However, this one fell short. I am not discouraged; I have found many good authors I read will write a book that misses the mark with me. I enjoy this author and look forward to future books.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through Netgalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Newly widowed and free of an abusive husband, Lady Harriet Dudley vows never to give up her independence to a man. When her horse is spooked, Harriet is rescued by her first love, Lucas Pemberton, the Duke of Dorman. Lucas has no desire to marry, especially after having his heart broken when he went to ask for Harriet’s hand only to learn her father married her to another. However, Harriet and Lucas quickly realize that old feelings still remain.

This is the third book in the Rakes of Mayhem series, and I was eager to read it after being introduced to the characters in the earlier books. Harriet and Lucas are well-developed protagonists, and I like how they slowly work their way back to each other. They have a lot to work through because of their complicated past and the feelings they still share, and they both have to face their fears before finding happiness with each other. They have great chemistry, and I liked their love story.

No one ever understood why Harriet’s father arranged a marriage between her and such a loathsome man, especially since everyone knew how much she cared for Lucas. Harriet’s father staunchly refuses to explain himself, which has fractured many relationships. Then, when her husband’s heir contacts her, Harriet worries the past is coming back to haunt her. Harriet has suffered so much. Abused, separated from her family, cut off from society, and completely controlled by her husband, Harriet searches for answers while trying to reconnect with those she missed most.

I love Harriet’s relationship with her sister. They have a strong bond, and when they’re together, it’s almost as if no time has passed. I also really liked Lucas’s mother. She and Harriet’s sister work together to reunite Lucas and Harriet, and they are a great team. Other characters, like Lucas’s friends and his wards, are also wonderful additions to the story. Lucas’s youngest ward is a delight! She’s so fun and spunky, and she’s a little troublemaker but in the cutest of ways.

Overall, I enjoyed the story, though there are parts that I wish were fleshed out a little more, especially with Harriet and her father. I wanted more resolution and apology, I think, especially after all Harriet went through. Why didn't he ever try to help her? Why didn't he contact her after she married? There are definite messages throughout the story about the lack of choice women had and the control men exerted over the women in their lives. Other messages about friendship, family, and taking chances, as well as the lovely romance balance the story well. Special thanks to NetGalley, Dragonblade Publishing, and the author for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Harriet and Lucas grew up together on neighboring estates. Is it any wonder they fell in love? Before Lucas could propose, her father married her to someone else. From then on Lucas closed his heart to love. Five years later Harriet is a widow, but an abusive marriage makes her hesitant to trust anyone in marriage again. If only Lucas and Harriet can let go of the past, maybe they will have a chance for a future. A second chance romance that moves at a steady pace, but continues extending their pain through most of the book. The only relief is the mischievous Cat, one of Lucas' new wards. She is a handful and I was constantly snickering. I hope she and her sister Beatrice will have their own books.
Closed door sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

All indeed seems lost when Lucas arrives to ask Harriet’s father for her hand, only to be informed that she wed 2 days prior and is gone. Despite knowing that she was given no choice, he is hurt and angry. This anger pushes him to forget her. But when she returns home a year after her husbands death and is rescued by the Duke old wounds open. She has never understood why her father forced her into a horrible marriage, but is determined to never be under a man’s control again. While Lucas is determined never to open his heart to that kind of pain again. They must both overcome these demons in order to see that they still love each other. The Duke of disorder has acquired 2 young girls he must now raise, and this provides the opportunity for their families to come together under the ruse of providing help for the girls. This actually provides time for these two to spend in each other’s company and see what is clear to everyone.
This was a nice light read with a compelling story. Some mystery in the reasons why, and plenty of love. It is also a beautiful story of friendship and the bonds that brings.

I am fairly new to Anna St. Claire as an author so this is only the second book of hers that I have read. I did read the second book in this series so I had some familiarity with the characters. I really liked Harriett right from the start and was so glad to know she was going to get the happy ending she had always deserved. This book was also unique in that Lucas didn't immediately take his chance to rekindle a romance with Harriett when they met again, especially since he did not blame her for the events of the past. You know Lucas will eventually see that he is only hurting himself by not pursuing something with Harriett, but she sure does take his time in getting there. The mystery of what Harriett's former husband's heir wants from her adds just the right amount of drama and it was resolution to that was actually really interesting because it was unexpected. I would have liked to have had a scene between Harriett and her father where he offers her the apology she deserves after what he put her through. He gave her to a terrible man in order to save himself and although he acknowledges that he would not allow anyone to hurt her again he never truly apologizes to her.

I wish there had been more between Harriett and Lucas's wards. Cat comments that she likes her, but we don't really get to see the scene in which they first meet. It also would have been nice to see a little more of Beatrice to get to know her as a character. Should the author choose to write future books within this particular world she has two characters I would love to learn more of in Bea and Cat.

There are so many unresolved issues in the lives of the main characters, that when Lucas, the Duke of Dorman and Lady Harriett finally meet once more, the years of hurt and mistrust almost derail any chance of a reconciliation. Forced into a marriage that was not of her choosing, Harriett suffered under the cruel treatment of her husband, until his unexpected death. Returning to her father's house, she finds that the marriage he pushed her into has also caused discord between her parents. Coming face to face with Lucas when he brings her runaway horse under control, causes all the heartache and pain to the fore once more. Lucas is similarly affected by his chance encounter with the only woman he has ever loved, but having vowed never to give his heart again, he finds it difficult to let go of the pain of the past. Fortunately, between his mother and her sister, not to mention a little help from a mischievous imp and his wily friends, Lucas and Harriett finally get their chance to clear the air. However, when the past comes knocking at her door, fear once again grips Harriett's heart and forces Lucas to face up to his feelings. There are a few holes in the plot of this romance, and one has to guess at some of the missing details which frustrated me. Nevertheless, the novel comes to a happy conclusion, with more than one celebration bringing friends together. I received a copy of this romance as a gift from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.

Lucas was all set to get engaged to Harriet when she suddenly ran off and married someone else her father forced her to. This leaves Lucas to have an aversion to ever getting married. Lucas had not seen her for 5 years. Widowed, Harriet has come to town to get away from the reminders of her deceased abusive husband. When Lucas becomes the guardian of two teenaged girls he realizes he must marry. His married friends and his family keep putting him and Harriet together. Can a long ago injustice be finally corrected? I received an ARC from NetGalley and Dragonblade Publishing for my honest review.