Don't Let Your Dukes Grow Up to Be Scoundrels

Dukes in Disguise, Book 1

By: Louisa Darling

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

A LADY FORTUNE HUNTER

Lady Gemma Lively’s life as the darling of London’s fast set was carefree and fun, filled with exciting friends, daring fashions, and scandalous parties. But when the death of her father leaves her family with nothing but a dilapidated coaching inn at the end of the Earth, it’s up to Gemma to change their fate. She needs a rich husband immediately—but the only bachelor in sight is a devilishly distracting barkeep who doesn’t know the peerage from a pint glass.

A DUKE IN DISGUISE

When Hal Deveril meets the new owners of Five Mile House, he sees right away that they’re Trouble. The eldest Lively sister is an unabashed fortune hunter, so Hal hides his true identity in the first place he can find—behind the bar of his local pub. He doesn’t have time for Gemma’s wild scheme to entice eligible gentlemen to the inn and seduce one into marriage—he’s too busy trying to rebuild his crumbling estate.

AN IMPOSSIBLE MATCH

Except Hal can’t seem to resist seducing Gemma himself. Every sizzling argument, every tempting touch, every secret kiss draws them closer together, but while he might not be the barkeep she thinks he is, he’s also not the wealthy Duke she’s hoping for….even if he wants to give her everything he has, including his heart.

©2024 Louisa Darling (P)2024 Louisa Darling

Worthy of a more than a credit

Such a well written story! First from Louisa and I purchased the second in the Dukes in Disguise (wish it were on audible). You'll laugh, relate and even shake your head at these well written characters and their entourage.

Enchanting story

Great story would love to read a series about side characters like Lucy the sister or the Earl etc. The story is slightly different. First regency type story wherein the protagonist isn’t a blushing debutant. However the rest, the in disguise duke, the charming though crumbling inn, etc are fantastic. Loves the story.

Enjoyable story, quite hot.

This was a nice story. Predictable but fun and enjoyable. The main characters were lovely. The second book is even better (I started with that one). The narrator is the best.

Fun Story!

Narrator Mary Jane Wells is always a favorite, but this is a good read from start to finish.

A New Favorite Author

I just finished book 2 in this series and had to come back to flush out this review. While the plot seems predictable, it is still so enjoyable to follow this journey to the lovely cadence of Mary Jane Wells. This book and the next in the series are both added to my favorites collection.

Nailed It!!

This was an absolutely fantastic story, well written with love, humor, and some spicy bits! Perfect with Mary Jane Wells as the narrator who can make books even better!

A new favorite

Bought for my love of MJW as a narrator; discovered a new favorite author. Excited for the next in series.

Fantastically narrated

I found it so easy to connect with these 2 characters and the narrator did such a wonderful job bringing the characters to life. I am absolutely looking forward to more from this author.

Great first book-excellent narration

I look forward to more books by this author. MJW did a fantastic job narrating (as always).

Can't wait for the next novel in the series!!

Similar to the beginning of Sense and Sensibility: Half-brother inherits title & fortune...and kicks out dowager/step-mother and his two half-sisters. But eldest daughter has a plan to save her family.
What happens next is a romp of trying to run a coaching house, a duke in disguise, and some undeniable attraction.