Never Kiss a Duke

November 4, 2019
The high-spirited first entry in the Hazard of Dukes series from Frampton (Never a Bride) matches a disinherited duke with the strong-willed owner of a notorious gambling den in Victorian London. When Sebastian, Duke of Hasford, is revealed to be illegitimate, he is stripped of his title and fortune and sets out to discover “what people who not dukes do.” During a visit to Miss Ivy’s gaming house, Sebastian’s quick thinking and Adonis-like looks distinguish him to Miss Ivy Holton herself. Sebastian’s ideas for improving Miss Ivy’s garner him a spot on the staff and a small room, but the sexual tension between Sebastian and Ivy complicates their professional relationship. Ivy has worked hard to build a comfortable life for herself, and she’s suspicious of anything that might disrupt it. Both Ivy and Sebastian are fiercely independent characters who must learn to reconcile their preconceived notions about each other with their powerful attraction. Though many of Ivy’s modern attitudes seem anachronistic, her spirit and loyalty make her a thoroughly endearing character. This series opener promises more fun to come. Agent: Louise Fury, Jenny Bent Agency.

December 15, 2019
A sudden loss of nobility leads a former duke to his future bride. When is a duke not a duke? When he's Sebastian de Silva and he's just been informed that his parents were not legally married, so his claim to be the Duke of Hasford is null and void. Unsure how to handle this abrupt change in circumstances, he and his friend Nash stumble into Miss Ivy's, a new gambling house gaining renown for allowing any person with sufficient funds to play. He's immediately interested in the proprietor, Ivy Holton, a ruined aristocrat who chose to open her own establishment rather than marry the man who'd won her hand from her father in a wager. Though she also finds him attractive, he ends up working for her, and he needs to stay employed for the first time in his life, meaning he can't pursue her. As they continue to work together, however, there are multiple chances for the two to explore the chemistry that's obvious to everybody but them--and finally, a "spectacular opportunity" presents itself and the two kiss. Ivy immediately apologizes for taking advantage of an employee, though soon after she and Sebastian agree that "it wasn't just a kiss," and a relationship begins to bloom. But if anything is to come of their attraction, Sebastian will have to make his peace with his new place in the world, and Ivy will have to decide whether she is willing to sacrifice her hard-won independence. This is the first entry in Frampton's new Hazards of Dukes series, and if it does not quite live up to the magic of her earlier books, it's still satisfying. Though Frampton (Never a Bride, 2019, etc.) is able as ever in developing promising subplots and a strong heroine, the tension of the plot is frequently lost, and Sebastian's motivations can seem muddled. Despite this, both hero and heroine are likable, their amorous scenes are delightfully steamy, and Frampton has set up future installments well enough that readers can look forward to them. A capable historical romance featuring games of chance and games of the heart.

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January 1, 2020

What's a duke to do when he discovers he's actually not a duke? For Sebastian de Silva, former Duke of Hasford, he opts for the gaming hell to drown his sorrows. Proud proprietor of Miss Ivy's, Ivy Holton is set on making the life she built worth every gamble she's ever made. And Sebastian's unique views might just advance the establishment's standing in society, though it could require showing Sebastian the ropes of his new life. But Sebastian has his own advice to offer, and the two walk a fine line between flirtatious lovers playing a lovers' game and something more serious and permanent. Both are challenged by this new dynamic in their lives, and the pressure is mounting to decide who they are and what they want out of their relationship. VERDICT An unmoored former duke trying to find his footing and navigate a new life and an independent woman confident in the world she's built from the ground up are surrounded by an engaging cast of secondary characters in this excellent start to a bold and sensual new Regency series from the beloved Frampton (Never a Bride).--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2020
What did ordinary (i.e., non-ducal) people do with their days? After being forced to relinquish the title of Duke of Hasford, the now commonplace Sebastian de Silva is about to find out. With a copious amount of personal charm and a flair for promotion as his only marketable assets, Sebastian manages to secure a job at Miss Ivy's, London's newest and most unconventional gambling den. As the proprietor, Ivy is no stranger to the concept of reinventing oneself, and Sebastian does have some terrific ideas about increasing the cash-flow of her business. However, what begins as a completely businesslike partnership soon takes an unexpected detour once Ivy finds herself fantasizing more and more about her new employee's irresistibly kissable lips. Frampton (Never a Bride, 2019) could give Scheherazade a run for the money when it comes to crafting a compelling tale, and the superbly written first entry in her historical romance Hazards of Dukes series is another brilliant confection composed of equal measures dazzlingly droll wit and deliciously sexy romance.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)