Barbara Russell is a new author to me and I will definitely read more of her books. The story of Maddie a budding artist who has her chance of entry into the academy ruined in an accident caused by Hector. Hector is a biologist who is dreaming of going off on an expedition. They meet again 8 years later after Hector has been stranded on an island after his ship sinks. Maddie is a lovely character, warm and forgiving. Hector has to learn to adjust back to society to gain his title from his cousin and Maddie helps him to find his place and overcome his challenges. Its a great romance, easy read and moves along at a good pace. Keeps you engaged right to the end.

Chaos and tragedy for everyone involved in this book. Maddie is on the cusp of receiving entry into a prestigious art academy, but an accident involving an overzealous botanist leaves her painting ruined and her hand injured and unable to paint. Hector is the brother of a duke who wants acceptance into his own scientific academy and accidentally injured Maddie in an attempt to collect a rare plant. He feels horribly guilty for her injury and only accepts his place on a South American expedition after Maddie’s encouragement to leave. Unfortunately, his ship goes down before he even reaches his destination and he’s declared dead. Eight years later, Hector is found alive, having survived alone on an island all this time. In this time, his brother and mother had both passed away and his horrible cousin is now the duke. Maddie gets involved to assist Hector in regaining his manners and civility to gain his title back. The romance is slow and sweet and low-angst, while we work through all of the external struggles that Maddie ad Hector have. This was action-packed and kept me enthralled the whole way through.

This book was just too far-fetched to me. It felt as if every possible plot point was stuffed in here, and the more outlandish, the better. I can see this book being a fun read for some, but it was too over-the-top for me. The characters felt more like caricatures.

I don't recall reading anything by this author before and the plot sounded interesting. Hector is our hero, an enthusiastic botanist and brother to a Duke, his discovery of a rare plant outside the bedroom window of Maddie propels him into rash actions which result in catastrophic events for Maddie. Move forward eight years, Hector has been rescued from a desert island by none other than the ship on which Maddie is travelling. Home to London and the process of Hector re-learning to be a nobleman and forget his wild former existence.
In honesty I found the story far fetched although entertaining and well enough written, it did not grab me. But it will prove a light, easy read. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of Taming the Savage Duke.

Maddie and Quentin run into trouble from their very first disastrous encounter.
Quentin humiliates himself retrieving a plant specimen injuring Maddie’s hand and the painting she has spent countless hours perfecting for an Academy scholarship.
He earns an expedition on a ship which sinks and he is lost for 8 years.
By a miraculous coincidence, Maddie is the rescuer who sees him floating on a raft.
Thus begins his reintroduction to civilization and society as a Duke which he can only tolerate with her support.
Enjoyable read with some plot twists and difficult choices leading to a HEA.

Madeline Josephine Debenham, Maddie, has a passion for painting. Her sister Verity for music, piano in particular. Much to their mother's dismay, as she wants them to Mary wralthy, titled men. Mardi has been corresponding with Mrs. Bridget Blanchet, most acclaimed female artist on technique, shading, and the Royal Women’s Academy of Arts. This is her dream

Mr. Hector Wentworth, brother to Lord Robert Wentworth, the Duke of Blackburn, is interested in science, plants, and ignores society. So much that he sometimes says and does things that hurts his family. He spied a very rare, exotic plant in Hyde Park and told the Royal Botanical Society of his find, the golden pimpernel. Anagallis pratensis. There is an expedition to the Amazon under the guide of Mr. von Humboldt.

As Maddie is working on her painting, Hector and Robert walked by their house. Hector spotted the plant and wants to barge up, knock on the door, and demand the plant. Robert convinces him to go about it properly. Hector decides not to wait, goes over and climbs up to get the plant only to crash through the window, injures Maddie, ruins her painting, and humiliates Robert.

Hector ends up going on the expedition, Maddie gets an infection which causes her to not be able to paint or sketch as she use to. Hector and the entire expedition crew get caught in a storm, all believed to be dead. Robert goes in search of the wreckage but ends up catching a deadly feaver, his mother is inconsolable and dies of an overdose.

Eight years have passes, Maddie, Verity, and their mother are returning from a visit with an aunt who lives in the Bahamas, when Maddie sees a raft with a man on it. The ship's crew rescue the man only to find out it is Hector.

Now join the taming as Hector works to get the title back from his selfish cousin. Learning, with the help of Maddie, Verity, and the old family solicitor Ernest. Cousin Quentin puts up obstacles for them to overcome. Dancing, society, and CLOTHES, oh my! Which would you choose?

Hector and Maddie's tale is definitely a twist on the usual historical romance! A bit far fetched at times but a definite page turner and quite steamy in parts. Shows wonderful strength of characters and a delightful narrative. A great read.

This is a book about two very different people who are quite alike. Maddie and Hector both dream big. Maddie wants to be an artist and paint beautiful paintings, despite her mother disapproving. She hopes to score a scholarship and earn a living by painting. Hector is a botanist and wants to join the horticulture society. So they are a bit alike in trying to pursue their goal. Unfortunately, time is of the essence in Hector’s case so when he spots a rare plant that will put him on the map with the horticultural society, he climbs a wall to get close to the plant but crashes through the window and permanently damages Maddie’s hand, and crushes her dream. Hector is devastated about this and wants to make amends, but while traveling for the horticultural society, his ship sinks and he is presumed dead. Eight years later, Maddie (of all people) is on a ship herself, when she spots a man on a raft: Hector. So their story together continues, with Maddie trying to take care of this man who seems estranged from society and who’s family has died. The plot evolves around Hector’s cousin, who inherited the title of duke, along with all the wealth and perks, and he wasn’t willing to give that all up without a fight.
Hector has a hard time connecting with people, sounds, even clothing, which seemed odd to me. I would understand that a man who lived on a deserted island for eight years would find the restrictions of society to be stifling, which might make him wearing a loose cravat or have his hair a bit more unkept, be a little more unpolished. But I wouldn’t expect such a man preferring to go without clothes, shoes and preferring to avoid people. He was also easily startled, jolted when somebody put his cup on the saucer. It felt a bit farfetched for a nobleman who grew up in society, to feel ‘constricted’ by wearing shoes and clothes, and be scared to be around groups of people and lots of noises. This made the main character seem a bit weak and over sensitive, where I would have preferred a stronger man, who because of what he went through had learned what mattered in life and what does not, and who had a clear view on what he wanted and what not. That would have been appealing and very sexy. Maddie was a sweet girl, trying to take care of him, but equally not a very strong character. But their flaws made it even more necessary to overcome road blocks like Maddie’s cruel mother, Hector’s selfish and greedy cousin, and fight for what is right and for each other.
I can definitely see how this book could be great, and I’m sure it is a book that many will enjoy.
Thank you Netgalley, Barbara Russell and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first book from Barbara Russell. She hits all the nails into this book. Love, steamy burning moments, and a breakthrough character. She's given a different approach from other authors who write romance books in a historical period and she got all her points across. It's a page-turning book that will leave you wanting more and doesn't disappoint.

10/10 💕

This story definitely had it's ups and downs. Hector and Maddie meet and become friends, but their hopes and dreams take them in different directions. There are a lot of interesting things happening in this book. I read it in one day!!

I love a regency romance and while this is rather far fetched it’s nice to see a plot line moving away from the usual Austen mortal enemies from the start

Very unusual and very lovely. What is considered savagery by high London society contrasted with savage and nefarious behaviour by the wicked cousin and nasty mother. A romp of a book, with sexy scenes, kisses, cruelty, blackmail and a good come uppance to end it all.

Hector and Maddie's romance was such a great read. Their first meeting for me was so sweet (although I felt that the way she quite quickly forgave him for the mishap was too soon, but I see that it had to tie in with her helping him later in the novel).

Overall the plot was good and I enjoyed how Maddie helps Hector return to society.

This was a good story. The plot was interesting and a page turner. I really enjoyed reading this book and it was the right amount of spice.

An interesting plot of Maddie and Hector. Maddie is a painter with huge dreams. Hector is a botanist who causes an accident that hinders Maddie's dream. Promises are made but it's eight years before they can even be kept. This is a highly interesting story of proving loyalty, integrity, sanity and honor. The author takes us on an adventure with a villain, lots of emotions and drive to see justice and love realized. The first one of the series so I can only imagine and wait with anticipation for the next book.

Maddie wants to paint, to get a place in the Academy despite her mother's wishes of her being a proper lady. Hector want to prove himself as a proper botanist even if that goes against his brother's idea of being a gentleman.

Their worlds quite literally crash together in the worse way for poor Maddie. Hector trys to make amends to her before she encourages him on a trip to South America only to find out his ship sank with him on it. Years later she finds him as a castaway on a raft returning home from the Bahamas. Eight years has turned him 'savage' in the eyes of Victorian society. Now he must prove he is as civilised as any London gentleman to claim back his family's title from his dastardly cousin.

I absolutely ran through this book. It's well timed with a perfect amount of spice that you'd feel just as scandalised as the ladies in the book and the men who love them. A solid romance with a compelling plot.

My main criticism is how Maddie forgives Hector so soon along with a lack of what I was hoping for more art and botanic themes after the reunion, it's still there however the main focus on the plot is showing Hector isn't mad and to gain manners.
This arc was provided by Netgalley