Another wonderful story set in Italy. Amelia has come due to scandal avoidance. Tristan happily lives in Italy while exploring his art. With no intension of returning to England any time soon, he begins to have a change of heart once he meets Amelia. A wonderful merry-go-round of avoidance, attraction and love that you don't want to miss.
Thank you Sofie Darling, Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me an advance copy for my honest feedback.

A fun, steamy, quick read! The physical connection was great, but I could’ve used a little more beyond that. Even though they started out on rough footing, it fell a bit too close to insta-love for me. But I did enjoy them becoming each others’ artistic muses and the way that they helped each other realize the lives they thought they wanted for themselves were not what would truly make them happy.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Lady Amelia Windermere is doing everything she can to ensure that she and her family are received on their return to London. After her sister Delilah causes a scandal while acting at Eton, the family head for Florence, and Amelia sets the ball rolling to return for the final ball of the Season, before their parents find out. While in Italy, she explores her art, and starts to dabble in watercolours of landscapes and her family. But as a young and proper lady, she has little chance to study the human form. Meeting the handsome, and very much not old, Duke of Ripon, she's drawn to a man like she never has been before, and when they make a bargain to both model, nude, for the other, soon they can't keep their hands off each other. But as their feelings turn to love, and marriage is on the table, will Amelia take it, or will she hold out for her return to society?

I liked this book, and especially the fact it was such a quick read. We meet the Windermere family as they are in a sort of self imposed exile in Florence, and the eldest daughter, Amelia, is very straight and proper. She wants the best for her family, and hides her passion from them all. But meeting Tristan, he seems to be a catalyst which sparks her light, and she can't hide her wants and needs from him. I liked the way they brought each other out, and they grew as individuals and a couple. The moments they were together after their separation was well worth it, especially as their feelings were revealed and reciprocated. The epilogue was extremely cute, and I hope we see them happy in the subsequent books!

Ms. Darling has written a very tantalizing and entertaining book with this first installment of The Windermeres in Love series. Lady Amelia and her family are not strangers to scandal. It order to escape the latest one and give it time to die down, her and her family retreat to Italy. While there, she encounters Tristan, Duke of Ripon, and a most scandalous rake. It seems the more Amelia tries to escape scandal, she can't but help attract it. He is a sculptor and Amelia also enjoys art. Tristan first believes her to be the typical society lady, proper and uptight, but their mutual appreciation of art draws them together and the attraction that develops between them is undeniable. As they explore art together, they also explore each other and the feelings that are ever growing between them.
This was an entertaining, fun, and steamy read. The characters were likable and I enjoyed their witty banter. An enjoyable story and I look forward to continuing the series.
I received a complimentary copy from Dragonblade Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Amelia and the Dissolute Duke

They met in beautiful Italy, and they had art in common. It turned out, there was much more between them, and it could lead to scandal if the ton only knew. What happened when lady Amelia returned to London? She said “no” when he asked, so could he break down her defenses? He never thought he would ask a lady to marry him; he never thought he could fall in love. Did love humble the dissolute duke, and would lady Amelia say “yes?” This is an entertaining, steamy, historical romance. I look forward to what comes next in this series.

Lady Amelia Takes a Lover by Sofie Darling is the first book in the Windermeres in Love series. Lady Amelia Windermere and her family go to Italy while they wait for their latest scandal in London to die down. Tristan Carteret, Duke of Ripon, encounters Amelia when she is on her way to her next art lesson. A sculptor, Tristan enjoys making art of the human form. Upon his first impression, he believes Amelia to be the typical uptight socialite. But he soon recognizes a fellow artist who needs to put Society’s opinions on the back burner and focus on how she feels, specifically about him. The two explore their art together and grow ever closer.

This is a quick read about two people who really put themselves out there and end up getting just what they need. I’m curious for the next book!

Lady Amelia Takes A Lover by Sofie Darling is the start of an exciting new series. It will be fun to read. Amelia, her sister, her cousin, and her brother have escaped to Italy to let the scandal blow over. She wants to reinstate them with the ton and has been working toward that end for a year or more. She dabbles in watercolor. Actually, she is quite good. One day in the courtyard of the master who is guiding her she runs into (literally) an ox of a man. He has the biggest hands she’s even seen. He’s rude, or so she thinks. It turns out he’s the Duke of Ripon, another Englishman, running from the ton. He is on a five-year break from his life, given him by his mother. At the end of the five years he is to return to England and take up his responsibilities, including marriage and the begetting of an heir. He is not happy about it. He is a sculptor. After one thing and another they agree that if he will pose nude for Amelia, she will pose nude for him. That simple encounter changes both of their lives.

Lady Amelia returns to England and can’t quite remember why she wanted it so badly. She is given the cute direct. It appears the scandal is not forgotten. But then, a duke requests that she dance with him. Yes, the Duke of Ripon, who has returned early, not able to forget his encounters with Amelia. A duke taking notice should help her social standing, surely. They have both made an impression on the other. The duke is tall and handsome, not to mention, a duke. Amelia is beautiful, talented, and begging to be loved. This was an extremely sensual story, from almost the first page. It is more than a simple romance, but more the coming together of two souls. It was an entrancing story and an excellent beginning.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Lady Amelia Takes a Lover by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #SofieDarling #LadyAmeliaTakesALover

I adored this story! This is the first book I have read by Sofie Darling and I am already eager for the next book! Before telling ya’ll what I loved about this story please note this series is part of Dragonblade's Flame line, so this is a sexy, steamy, and scorching-hot read with multiple sex scenes. Be advised. So don’t go hating on this book just because it’s hot as Hades, you have been warned 😉

This is the first book of the Windermeres in Love series so it does contain quite a few characters as a means of introduction for upcoming books. However, the MCs in this story are Lady Amelia Windermere and Tristan Carteret the Duke of Ripon. The majority of the story takes place in 1820’s Florence, Italy, which makes for a nice change of scenery versus typical Regency Romance.

When the story begins Amelia and Tristan are both at different points in their lives. Amelia is doing everything in her power to repair the infamous and “slightly” improper reputation of her family, the Windermeres. Amelia, her sister, and her cousin have been living in Florence for the last year. Amelia’s brother, Lord Daniel Windermere, Viscount Archer, has recently joined the ladies, now the hope is London Society will forget a previous scandal and the Windermeres will be welcomed back to the haute ton and invited to the must attend end of season ball.

Tristan, the Duke of Ripon, went to live in Florence four years and six months prior to the story beginning. Tristan has been the Duke of Ripon since he was three years old, he has always done what was expected of him, always placing the dukedom before his own happiness. After an event known as the Jilting, Tristan headed for Florence with the agreement to return to London after 5-years to continue his duty as the Duke of Ripon. While in Florence Tristan has been indulging his passions and working hard at mostly avoiding pesky Italian Society, he has earned the moniker of the “old decrepit and lecherous Duke of Ripon” - even though he is only in his 30’s 😉

The last thing Lady Amelia Windermere needs is another family scandal. Quite the opposite in-fact and she has been behaving with the utmost decorum. Things change very quickly once she gets a taste of the wild, passionate Duke of Ripon. Let’s just say her priorities begin to shift as her body and heart are awoken by the sinfully sexy Duke!


“The look in his eyes shifted, no longer distant, but considering. “I’ll get what I want, and you’ll get what you need.” “And what is it I need?” she asked, a bit breathless. “Experience,” he said, his gaze unrelenting. “And I can give it to you with my body.” Yet another blade of heat struck through Amelia, and for a moment she forgot what they were even discussing. “You need to fully immerse yourself in the human form to deepen your work.”

Tristan and Amelia are exceptional characters. There is an electric type of chemistry that the couple shares that sizzles off the page. Tristan and Amelia’s encounters are intense and provocative. Once these two give in to desire, their world goes up in flames! 🔥🔥I loved every minute of their sensual journey.

“‘A woman needs to be adored every now and again.’” He spread his hands wide in a gesture of helplessness. “I politely informed her that wouldn’t be possible.” “You told your fiancée—the woman you were to spend the rest of your life with—that you would never adore her?” “Or any other woman, to be fair.” He shrugged. “It was only the truth.” *sigh* Why are men so clueless?


By the end of the story Tristan was doing much better with adoring the woman he loved and Amelia was doing much better at figuring out what really matters in life.

“He liked her laugh. He might adore it, too. Was there no end to his adoration for this woman? Now that he’d gotten the knack of it, he couldn’t seem to stop.” … “What lay between them had naught to do with their status as lord and lady, but as man and woman.” … “On a low growl, he swept her into his arms and came to his feet. He caught her eye and held it. “Bloody hell, woman, if I’m to ravish you, then let’s do it properly in a bed for once.” … “She wasn’t sure who had claimed who, but the end result was the same: they belonged to each other.”



I encourage you to grab this book and dive in to this sexy & fun world that Sofie Darling has created. I have a feeling the rest of Amelia’s family’s stories are going to be just as good as this one is, and I am happy to have found a new author whose stories are quite … invigorating 😉




Review Copy of Lady Amelia Takes A Lover provided by Dragonblade Publishing for an honest Review.

I loved this so much so glad I started reading this genre it was such an amazing read I read it super fast and couldn't put it down

One word: Precocious! Who would’ve thought that the most scandalous Windermere would be the prim & proper Amelia. What a story! The dissolute Duke and the Scandalous artist. What these two lack, they find in each other. The perfect example of yin and Yang. Two sides of one coin. This story had me laughing at the pure audacity, chuckling at the irony and utterly yearning for more. Sofie Darling writes a story that begs you in and holds you tight. I can not wait to read more of the rest of the Windermere family and their shocking rebellious ways.

Was this the greatest novella I've ever read? No. Was the timeline kind of hard to follow? Yes. But did I still enjoy reading this for 45 minutes? Of course. I am now interested in reading more from Sofie Darling because I have a feeling she will excel in the long-format novel instead of just 140 pages. It was hard to feel the substance of the characters and to actually believe there was "true love" involved, as claimed by both characters, by the end of the book. This was a fun and simple and kinda spicy read so it's definitely worth your time if it sounds up your alley!

SLOW BURN!!!! Lady Amelia Takes a Lover by Sofie Darling is the first in her new series Windermeres in Love and what a great way to start a new series. This sooty is so original and it really gives the feel of the regency era. If I had a negative about this book is that I wish it was written a tad simpler. Some of the sentences did not make sense to me and I had to look up some of the word. For a doe-doe like me simpler is better. What I really loved about this story was the slow burn between Tristian & Amelia…oh the chemistry was great!! Also that whole story revolving around being artist in different ways to be challenged and who doesn’t fall in love with a dark brooding Duke. Sofie has such a creative mind and this story did not disappoint. This story has a Lady that does watercolors, a Duke that sculptures, winning a bid, facing challenges, not wanting to marry, being stood up 3 day be their wedding, having too much to drink, taking a swim in a fountain (that really cracked me up), not showing one’s true self and falling in love. I am recommending you read this book.

***This book was gifted to me and I am voluntarily reviewing.

The Heroine

Lady Amelia Windermere is a very proper, English lady who adamantly adheres to the rules of society. Her siblings, however, do not. Which is why they find themselves hiding in Italy to wait for her sisters latest scandal to subside. Amelia can’t wait to her back to London and rejoin society. But when she wins a raffle prize, things start to change…Triston, the Duke of Ripon is to sculpt a bust of her! Although she finds him arrogant and rude, Amelia admits she is very attracted to him. She makes a scandalous bargain with him; they will each pose nude for the other to scout or paint. From there, Amelia starts to lower her guard and her society rules start to loosen!



The Hero
Triston, Duke of Ripon has been Duke since he was a small boy. He threw himself into being a good son, a good student and a good Duke. But when it came time to marry, he just can’t imagine himself loving a wife so his fiancé jilted him. Scandal ensued and his mother offered to let him escape the Dukedom for 5 years before he must return and take his place again. He has no desire to return to the restrictions of London society, that is until he pictures a life with Amelia by his side and it somehow seems tolerable.


The Plot
Lady Amelia Takes a Lover is a short, sweet love story that takes two unwilling people and throws them together to discover what they never knew they needed! I believed everything about them and their feelings towards each other. I loved the proper Miss being debauched by the reluctant Duke; it was delicious! This is my first book by Ms. Darling and I am eager to see which Windermere gets their story next!

Tropes
Historical Romance, Regency Era, Italy, Artist Hero, Beta Hero, Rake Hero, Titled Hero, Artist Heroine, Virgin Heroine, Outdoor Steam, Fling to Love

Lady Amelia is in Italy hoping that some time away from London will help recover the family’s reputation. She is doing her best to be prim and proper, then she meets Tristan, Duke of Ripon. She doesn’t like him at first, and associating with him certainly won’t help her improve their reputation. Tristan is a sculptor. Amelia is a painter. Their mutual love of art, a strong attraction and sizzling chemistry bring them together. Can Tristan convince her that what they have is the beginning of a happily ever after? He follows her back to London to do just that. Interesting story and fantastic characters. This is a wonderful start to a new series. I look forward to seeing the Windermeres fall in love.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

What a great way to start off a new series. Set in Italy we meet Lady Amelia Windermere and Tristan Carteret, Duke of Ripon. What an interesting pair they made. She’s a proper English lady who is on the shelf and he’s a Duke who likes to sculpt. These two had sizzle from the first time they met, and it just kept developing into more. But will a proper Lady accept the advances of a not so proper Duke, or will she remain a spinster?

Very enjoyable story. The author did a wonderful job in forming the relationship between Amelia and Tristan. A definite read for everyone. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Think Disney's Lady & The Tramp, but Regency. Prim, proper and all too stuck up Lady Amelia Windermere escapes to the beauty of Italy with her family, while waiting for their latest scandal to die down. Enter Tristan Carteret, Duke of Ripon, who is the perfect antithesis to Lady Amelia. Improper, scandalous and wild. The two become involved when Amelia wins Tristan's artistic services at a charity raffle and sparks begin to fly.

Lady Amelia Takes a Lover is quick, romantic and fun all wrapped up in one novella. I've never read anything by this author before, but after this, I'm excited to see what else Sofie Darling has in store!

Lady Amelia Takes a Lover was published in July 2022. Thank you to Dragonblade Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and this is my freely given opinion.

This is the first time I am reading a book from this author and I have to say I will be reading more by her! I have no idea where I got this impression from, but I thought she wrote more tame and cleanly, and while there is nothing wrong with that, I like things more towards the earthy, hot, and steamy end. This short novel definitely delivered on the later.

Lady Amelia is in Italy with her family. Apparently the Windermeres are rather steeped in scandal and edging the fringes of Society, and they have taken themselves off to Italy to rusticate so to speak... and likely indulge in a more free society there. But Amelia is the older sister, and more straitlaced of the bunch and tries to get the others to toe the line Society sets for acceptable behaviour, in the hopes of being accepted back into the societal folds. She has the wild, artistic nature that seems to be part of the Windemere make, but suppresses it much better than other family, by pursuing the more acceptable and lady-like dabbling in watercolours.

Tristan, the Duke of Ripon, has been in Italy for over 4 years, indulging and stretching his wings as a sculptor. He inherited the mantle of Duke at a very young age, and after being jilted by his fiancee, his mother decided to give him a reprieve to his duties of 5 years. He and Amelia become involved when she wins his artistic services at a charity raffle and they strike sparks off each other.

They share their artistic sides with each other, and Tristan challenges Amelia to stretch her boundaries and push beyond what is expected. This becomes a very hot and steamy affair that is unfortunately brief, as Amelia still wishes to return to England and take back her place in Society.

This story is quite short, but written with a lot of descriptive verve and impact. You are introduced to the other Windemeres and get a quite a bit of an impression as to their quirks and a hints of what is to come. The story of Amelia and Tristan is written with a lot of heat and passion, but it's not just about sex, Darling fleshes them out with quite about their artistic passions as well, inner fears, and their pasts, in efficient detail.

This was a short and quick read, but so very enjoyable. I am definitely going to read more by her!

4.5 stars out of 5.

I sort of enjoyed this? I liked the book being set in Italy but I didn't feel much of the setting in the writing. The main characters were fine and I'm vaguely interested in seeing what happens to the other siblings.

Loved loved loved this sizzling story! The characters are witty and tantalizing. A must read!


Heat level 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Lady Amelia's family is known for their unconventional behavior. Living in Italy gives them more freedom without all of London's restrictions. Amelia's goal for her family is to once again be accepted by London society. She writes letters to everyone she knows to help her achieve her goal of attaining an invitation to the Marchioness of Sutton's ball.
When she meets Tristan, the Duke of Ripon, art is their bond. She paints in watercolors, he is a sculptor. A bargain between them will test the limits of their attraction. Tristan's pursuit of Amelia breaks down her proper lady demeanor. He wants more than a mistress. Amelia must decide on the life she really wants.
Heat level 5
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.