Last Night with the Duke

Rakes of St. James Series, Book 1

By: Amelia Grey

Narrated by: Alison Larkin

The Duke of Griffin has never lived down his reputation as one of the Rakes of St. James. Now rumors are swirling that his twin sisters may bear the brunt of his past follies. Hiring a competent chaperone is the only thing Griffin has on his mind - until he meets the lovely and intriguing Miss Esmeralda Swift. In ways he could never have expected, she arouses more than just his curiosity.

Esmeralda Swift considered herself too sensible to ever fall for a scoundrel, but that was before she met the irresistibly seductive Duke of Griffin. His employment offer proves too tempting for her to resist. She can't afford to be distracted by his devilish charms, because the stakes are so high for his sisters' debut season...unless one of London's most notorious rakes has had a change of heart and is ready to make Esmeralda his bride. Contains mature themes.

©2017 Amelia Grey (P)2017 Tantor

Avoid this narrator

The book itself was a great read. The narration made it absolutely horrible. I couldn’t get through more than one chapter on the audio version.

If you see Alison Larkin as a narrator, don’t buy it!

Hm.....

I enjoyed this book. Alison Larkin was good. But something went amiss. It ended uncomfortably. I felt like several things were just forgotten. Another sub plot was literally discarded, and all the build up of another was for naught. I did enjoy the whole listen but was left feeling unsettled.

There was a little heat.
I'm not sure if it's really creditworthy. I think it is, I just feel like all the pieces were there for this to have been excellent but they weren't ever put together.

Very good story; interesting romance.

I love Amelia Grey’s writing. I find all of her books satisfying and interesting. Her characters are well written and you really get to know their personalities. In this story you also develop a love for the heroine’s sister, Josephine, and her little dog, Napoleon. Josephine, age 12, is always getting in trouble with her dog and it really reminds you of yourself at the age. Still a child on the verge of womanhood. The ending is not completely predictable but it is the right ending.

A little too drawn out, not historically accurate

Overall the book isn't bad. Some of the situations are interesting and even funny. I didn't care for the FMC. She is supposed to be a strong female representation with internal insecurities but her self-doubt goes well beyond what seems rational. She is so consumed by her social / class fears that she comes across as pathetic. yes, I have compassion for her but in a pitiful not empathic way. I didn't like the romance either more than half the book was about their unrequited sexual desire and the scenes were just weird. Too much detail about the groping and it goes on and on... we get in your hot for each other but the transactions are just creepy and gross. The storyline about revenge on his sisters but ends weak. It feels like the author forgot there was supposed to be a scandal and did fully develop the storyline but remembered to throw in a reveal in the end to save face. Finally, I wasn't impressed with the odd babydoll high voice narration doesn't allow this book rating to climb above average. ľ