Reviews

For the Duke's Eyes Only by Lenora Bell

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melodicfate's review against another edition

4.0

This took me forever, mostly because I kept getting distracted with things. Still, I loved that the heroine, Indy, was an archaeologist. A woman after my own heart! She was strong, brave, and unconventional. And Raven, the hero? Man was he something else. I felt so awful for him and what he went through to protect those he loved. Still, I loved that even though he was broody, he could also be mischievous. As for the plot? It did drag some in the middle, but I never guessed a lot of things. Overall, this was an interesting, kind of angsty, and yet fun read.

lilyelement's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars

For the Duke's Eyes Only is book 2 in the School for Dukes series. Can we just take a second to love this cover? It's so gorgeous, the cover lover in me is very pleased. I also adore Lenora Bell's books so I was really excited to start reading this one. She has rather unconventional characters and the romance is swoon worthy!

We start off this novel meeting Lady India Rochester (aka Indy) and Daniel Bonds while they are children, digging for treasure and sharing their dreams. Their families have a marriage contract between them and everyone is happy with that decision. That is until Daniel's father dies and his loyalty is being questioned, Daniel and his mother leave. Fast forward 15 years to Indy trying to sneak into an all male Society of Antiquaries. She thought her only worry would be if her fake mustache would fall off but she walks in to see Daniel, the Duke of Ravenwood there. Her whole plan was to sneak in and get a look at the Rosetta Stone and translate the hieroglyphics. What they both uncover is that someone swapped the artifact with a fake and Indy is one of the few that can identify the real deal. Ravenwood isn't afraid of a dangerous situation, but he doesn't want Indy anywhere near it. Stubborn, Indy gets her way and they head to Paris to track down the stone. Romance meanwhile blossoms as these two get a second chance at love if they can just get past the dangerous situations that arise.

For the Duke's Eyes Only is a steamy Historical Romance with lots of intrigue and adventure. I really enjoyed Indy's character, and can only guess she's loosely based on Indiana Jones. That being said, I was a bit disappointed at the ending, it wrapped up the missing item quite fast with little to no effort on their part. I was happy with pretty much everything else though so it was still quite a good read. If you're looking for an unconventional leading lady in Historical Romance, this is the book for you.

itsme_lori's review against another edition

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3.0

I had high hopes for India's book after seeing her in the previous book but I think they might have been a little too high. I was hoping for lots of adventure and thrilling moments and maybe some suspense but it was really just a romance with lots of sex scenes and every once in a while some talk about finding something that was stolen. I was pretty disappointed by the mission.

Spoiler

I felt like they didn't even do anything to find it. They just happened upon it by accident and that was extremely disappointing considering the two characters had a lot of experience with hunting treasures.

I really liked the backstory of these two and the unconventional life that India leads without caring what society or anyone else thinks. The fact that they were best friends as kids and planned to marry and run away together on adventures was adorable and then heartbreaking when they were pulled apart. But I guess I hoped for more tension between them and anger when coming back together rather than just physical attraction. Overall, it was a quick read with some fun moments but not the best historical romance I've read.

samantha_reads_more's review against another edition

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4.0

I enjoyed this story A LOT more than the first one. The characters were funny, and engaging. I definitely laughed out loud more than once. I also, again, appreciate a heroine who isn't a simpering maiden who has to be saved. A woman who goes after what she wants is more my style.

I find it most frustrating when I find some books to be excellent by an author, but then that same author can churn out some abysmal books as well. Like, what is happening here. *shrug*

laura03's review against another edition

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4.0

I was ready for Lady India's story, like, three chapters into the first book in this series, so you can imagine my excitement at reading this book. And, for the most part, that excitement held. Childhood friends to rivals to wary partners to lovers is a very specific trope that I am very specifically into, and, for the most part, this hit all the high notes.

India and Raven were EXCEPTIONAL at goading each other and teasing each other, and kissing each other. On the mouth and other locations. Honestly, the two of them may have some of the best HR banter I've read recently. Plus, Raven was so beset with his responsibility™ and filled to the brim with pining™ and I am into that.

That being said, I did go back and forth on three or four stars for this one. Mostly because I think the potential for mystery and adventure was there but never quite achieved. It felt like we kind of rushed through that plot, which would have been a super cool main plot, and while I'm all in favor of carriage makeouts and floor 69's, I wanted a bit more intrigue and working together. India was so clever, and Raven was an actual spy. Even if that had to stay secret for plot-type reasons, it felt like they could have added a bit more to the quest for the Rosetta Stone. The scene where they fought together was hands-down my favorite in the whole book. More of that, please! ~~Also, I kind of wanted Marcus to be evil, but that's just my deep-rooted desire for drama.~~

Overall, though—I enjoyed this a lot. It was fun and different, and while it still ended with a nice tied-up bow, I appreciated this bow more than I did in the first book in this series. (But I do wish she'd called him Daniel again at one point. I wanted her to call him Daniel again, so bad.)

taisie22's review against another edition

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3.0

For the Duke's Eyes Only is a fun read though I have to put this in the pile of books that is supposed to be a historical but could take place in current times. India, or Indy, is an archeologist while Daniel, Duke of Ravenwood, or Raven, is a spy. They were childhood sweethearts who were torn apart by Raven's profession. Raven wanted to protect Indy, but she is unaware of his job and thinks he is just a rake.
We meet Indy when she sneaks into a men's meeting in order to take a peek at the Rosetta Stone which has been loaned to them - I'm not sure exactly why. An artifact is stolen, and Indy and Raven must team up for its recovery. There's Russians, French mobsters, frauds, and all sorts of feelings scattered on their way. And of course, lots of sex.
I'm sure lots of readers will enjoy this, but I have to admit I struggled with it a bit. Indy is a feminist who can wield a dagger, and Raven is an 'enlightened male' with spy gadgets; I prefer my historicals much more accurate to the time period. I also don't really like a quest where the investigation doesn't mean much because they stumble across the solution in the end by accident. I'd rather they have to work for their happy ending.