Title:  A Duke But No Gentleman
Series:  Masters of Seduction #1
Author:  Alexandra Hawkins
Genre:  Historical Romance
Published:  June 30, 2015
Publisher:  St. Martin’s Press
My Rating:  3 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess Norgrave have always had the wildest of friendships. Best friends growing up, they bask in the pleasures the rich, opulent world that London has to offer, consuming drink and women at their leisure.

But Norgrave has always been a step behind. Blackbern can best him at anything—playing cards, riding horses, and bedding women. So when the stunningly beautiful but innocent Lady Imogen Sunter strays across their path, both men agree a friendly competition for the lady’s affections cannot hurt.

But when Blackbern’s feelings turn into something deeper and Lady Imogen’s desire become clear, Norgrave will do anything to win the wager. Only one man can lay claim to Lady Imogen’s heart… and one shocking act will change them all irrevocably.

Read on for my thoughts on A Duke But No Gentleman.

A Duke But No Gentleman is a difficult novel for me to honestly review.  I love Historical or Regency Romance novels for the feeling of going back in time to a far different kind of life that these novels give me a glimpse of – and a different kind of love story.  Often in these stories sexual situations are implied, the reader is left to “read between the lines” so to speak.  I am no prude, let me make that clear.  But rape or repeated rapes are not what I turn to this genre to read.  Again, if I’m honest with myself and you, forced sexual relations are often part of some of these types of novels – implied if not directly spoken.

I am very torn on this novel.  On one hand I enjoyed the basic story, it was well written, kept me glued to the page and of course, I looked for the happy ending of the rake being redeemed by the love of his lady.  And to some extent, I got that – so for that part of the novel I have to say it was very well put together and entertaining.

But this novel also has a very dark side to it.  As I mentioned, rape is not what I turn to Historicals (or any other genre) to read about.  Rape is simply wrong on every level.

Will I read the next novel in this series?  Yes, I don’t judge every book an author writes by one that was an uncomfortable read for me personally.  If it’s similar to this one though I believe I’ll give the rest of the series a pass and wait for a new series by the author to start.  I’ve been reading for enough years to know that not every novel is going to be a winner for me, so I will read Alexandra Hawkins’ novels again and we’ll see what happens next time.

*I received an e-ARC of A Duke But No Gentleman from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

This novel is available for the Kindle