Blurb
A dour duke and a wistful wallflower—an impossible match until fate intervenes one enchanted night.
A dour duke…
Jules, the Sixth Duke of Dandridge disdains Society and all its trappings, preferring the country’s solitude and peace. Already jaded and cynical since the woman he loved died years ago, he’s become even more so since unexpectedly inheriting a dukedom’s responsibilities and finding himself the target of every husband-hunting vixen in London.
A wistful wallflower…
Forever in her stunning sister’s shadow, Jemmah Dament has adored Jules from afar for years—since as children they were the best of friends. She daren’t dream she can win a duke’s heart any more than she hopes to escape the life of servitude imposed on her by an uncaring mother. Jemmah knows full well, Jules is too far above her station. Besides, his family has already selected his perfect duchess: a poised, polished, exquisite blueblood.
But one enchanted night…
A chance encounter reunites Jules and Jemmah, resulting in a passionate interlude neither can forget. Jules realizes he wants more—much more—than Jemmah’s sweet kisses or her warming his bed. He must somehow convince her to gamble on a dour duke. But can Jemmah trust a rogue promised to another? One who’s sworn never to love again?
Review
In the first novella of the Seductive Scoundrels series, Miss Jemmah Dament is miserable and hiding in an unused parlor at her aunt’s London home. She’s spent the majority of her life in her cruel sister’s shadow, and both her sister and heartless mother treat Jemmah as nothing more than a servant. She only has her wealthy aunt, Theodora, as well as the Viscountess Lockhart and Theo’s mother-in-law to help her.
Jules, Duke of Dandridge, escapes all the matchmaking mamas at his beloved godmother’s birthday soirée and stumbles upon Jemmah in the parlor. Though they were good friends in childhood, they’d lost touch over the years. After their unexpected reunion, he quickly reassesses his views on not getting married.
Jemmah and Jules are wonderful characters. They’ve both suffered heartache at the hands of their families, especially poor Jemmah, but they aren’t cold and bitter. Though this sweet, clean romance story shows abuse and neglect, it also shows the heroine’s triumph in overcoming such abuse with her self-respect intact. There are a few minor typos, but I like Ms. Cameron’s writing style and the depth of emotions she puts into her characters.
4 Stars
— If you’ve read this book, I’d love to know what you think of it. Please comment below.