Review: Amalie Howard's "The Worst Duke in London"

 

THE WORST DUKE IN LONDON
Historical Romance

 

 

 

AUTHOR:
Amalie Howard

RELEASE DATE:
September 24, 2024

PUBLISHER:
Forever (Grand Central Publishing)

ISBN/ ASIN NUMBER :
9781538737781

RATING:
4.5

AUTHOR LINK:
https://amaliehoward.com/

 

Lady Evangeline “Effie” Raine has no interest in marriage or the ton’s rivalries. She prefers animals more than people except for her friends in the Hellfire Kitties. Effie encounters Gage at the shelter she dedicates to abandoned and wounded animals. She does not trust the man’s attention or his compliments. However, Effie cannot ignore her attraction to the brawny duke’s body. She proposes a licentious yet limited arrangement. Will Effie’s trust be misplaced with Gage? Or will the season end in another disaster?

Gage Croft is known amongst his peers as the half-Scottish Destitute Duke. He intends to repair his crumbling estates and to settle his late brother’s debts. When the man his brother owes money to offers to forgive the debt for a favor, Gage agrees. The lady he is supposed to distract proves to be more interesting than Gage expected. Then she surprises him by offering a proposal he cannot ignore. Will Gage’s deceit come to light? And will it end his relationship with Effie?

I understand (and empathize with) Evangeline’s reasons for disliking London and aristocratic festivities. Effie being ostracized by her peers reminds me of high school and the power cliches have. However, she refused to allow their belittling to defeat her. I admire that about her! What I love the most about Effie is her care for wounded and abandoned animals. She treated all animals, even annoying rodents, with the same care. Effie allowed them to have a second chance at finding a forever home.

Gage surprised me! I never could resist a tall and brawny Scot (even if he is only half). But a virgin one. That threw me for a loop but in a good way. It was a nice change-of-pace than an overly experienced one. I like that Gage wanted to find honesty ways to rebuild his estates and improve his tenants’ lives. He is not afraid to get his hands dirty and do the work himself. What I admire most about Gage is his determination not to follow in his late father and late brother’s footsteps. He learned second-hand the destruction that alcohol and gambling can bring.

THE WORST DUKE IN LONDON is the third book in Amalie Howard’s historical romance series, TAMING OF THE DUKES. This fun story can stand alone. I do recommend reading the prior novels to fully enjoy the closeness and camaraderie of the ladies in the Hellfire Kitties. The couples from the prior books do play parts throughout the story, especially Vesper. It is nice to see how each of their happy-ever-afters continues.

I have a feeling that Briar and Jasper will be next. Or that they will eventually have a book. I cannot wait and see if my hunch is correct.