really enjoyed this one! it felt a little slow in the beginning with a lot of groundwork being laid for later revealed plot points but it didnt drag in a negative way. i wish there had been a bit more chemistry building between prue and jasper and a little more from the colonel but oberalli enjoyed the book!!!

This was a perfectly good historical romance. Nothing about it really blew me away but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I found it to be a quick one day read and to be very entertaining. I did feel like some of the actions the characters did were a bit out of no where but they may be because I did not read the first book. Overall a fine book.

I was extremely fortunate to receive an ARC of Damned If I Duke by the incredible amazing Anna Bradley via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Where do I start with the review of this book... it left me speechless and in awe of Ms. Bradley's extraordinary writing. Prudence Thorne is trying her best to find a way to pay back Jasper St. Vincent, the Duke of Montford, a gambling debt owed him by her father. She has the option of marrying a Lord with money, but that particular option to a certain gentleman leaves her in a state of shambles with just the thought of spending the rest of her life with this sanctimonious self-absorbed man. Her stumbling on to.some incriminating and shameful items of this Duke makes her believe she can blackmail him into forgiving her father's debt. Little does she know that it's just not in her to be or do bad, and that the consequences of her actions will lead to the unthinkable. The Duke has no intention of ever marrying because he believes it's not in him to be good or ever love anyone. However, when Prudence attempts to blackmail him, and he learns the reason why, he is tempted to take matters into his own hands and turn the tables. This is a fabulous story of recognizing one's ability to redeem oneself not only for our own self, but also for the people we love.

Damned If I Duke by Anna Bradley was the second book in the Dropped Dead Dukes Series. The novel focused on Prudence and Vincent. Prudence’s father lost a bet with an amount of money that he could not afford, but being a man of his word, he sold everything to pay the price. Vincent didn’t realize that the man he played cards with could not afford to lose money. Once he realized he wanted to get the money back to Prudence’s father through her, but even the best of plans failed.

However, what didn’t fail was that Vincent (even being a Duke) attracted his grandfather’s curiosity about Prudence. The grandfather enjoyed meeting her and decided that they would suit and marry immediately. Vincent can’t not do what his grandfather wants. The problem is they don’t like each other. Guns might have been involved and a sore butt.

What makes the story wonderful is how Vincent and Prudence work through all the struggles in their first days of marriage. There are jealous creatures, spiteful people and secrets to overcome. Damned If I Duke is a fun read by Anna Bradley.

You know that feeling when a book ends and you sigh, wishing there were just a few more pages. Definitely one of those books.

Damned If I say Yes to this book. It's a great book. Rake plays Love Father and Love finds a way for him to bend to his knees "literally and figuratively" Overall great book with an amazing story. Leaves you breathless until the end.

10/10

Prudence, active and oh so honest, blackmails Jasper, a rake and wealthy Duke. She despises him for ruining her father over a wager. However, Jasper’s grandfather turns the situation into a chance to force the two into a marriage neither (seemingly?) wants. And that, after she shoots Jasper in the arse with birdshot! Both balk but marry they do. Over time, however…

This marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, regency romance lives up to the promise of Anna Bradley novels. Pru is a force to be reckoned with. She excels at hunting, shooting or racing rather than the feminine activities of shopping or playing the piano. Jasper, “…has a talent for sin…”, He is quite the hunk and has more depth than Pru’s first impressions, considering his past wild ways. Both find the other sexy and alluring, though against their wills. Yes, there is a final conflict but the misunderstandings are resolved in a manner befitting their characters- expeditiously and honestly. Oh, and they are hot together! The intimate bits toward the end of the novel are satisfyingly sensual.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Prue, our MC, is a bit of an unconventional lady. As the only child of a military man, she's been well taught in horseriding, shooting and far more. We open the story where Prue is visiting her dear friend, a Duchess, who is currently nursing her young infant. With the help of her friend, Prue is currently trying to be matched with a gentlemen due to the fact that her father made a wager that was a bit more than their family could afford to lose. To whom do they owe money? Our scoundrel of a MMC, of course!

Overall, I'd say that this book was a very pleasant read! Prue remained sure of herself throughout the entire book but also learnt a bit more about not diving into things head first. Jasper was a bit obtuse to his feelings, at first, and panicked but did treat Prue quite well. There was a small timeskip roughly in the middle of the book, which, wasn't clear to me straight away, so I was a bit confused as I thought the event in question happened the next day at first lol.

The side characters felt fleshed out and contributed to the whole book as you could see their relationship with other characters and have a greater understanding of their personalities and their thoughts. Both leads weren't afraid of confiding in friends and these other characters. The conflict of the book wasn't too dragged out and I'm glad it was on the milder side with less of a blowup/drama created from it. I think it worked well for the characters.

This is my first book from the author and I'm sure there are other books in the series and to come. I will definitely be returning to read more from this author!

What an excellent read it was. The descriptions of the emotions blooming in both character's hearts were lovely, and making me found their romance quite touching. It hit all the right feels.

I really appreciate that the men in this series are rakes not just by name but by actual action. Jasper is introduced to us in a poker game trying to win back a gift to a former mistress that adds to the notion this man is a rake. Prue is a woman who is trying to clean up the mistake her father made. I loved seeing the previous couple in this series but I don’t believe you need to know anything from the first book to read this second, the events that transpired in the background are fully developed here and not in the first book. I really liked Jasper’s grandfather, I loved that he saw how wonderful Prudence was. This book is same steam level as the first in my opinion. As a couple, I just loved them. I was laughing so much at the garden party. Watching Jasper not know how to navigate his feelings was also amusing because Prue never accepted “just cause” from him. I recommend this series and can’t wait for the third book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Prudence thinks that Jasper, the Duke of Montford, duped her father into enormous gambling debts. She attempts to blackmail Jasper but it backfires and they end up pressured into marriage.

Like all Anna Bradley books, this one is terrific fun. Lots of fun banter... Zany characters, swoony scenes... Jasper and Prudence are perfect together. Really enjoy this enemies to lovers book.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.