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ksaeng's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ontheshelf_romance's review
4.0
Duke Most Wanted by Lenora Bell
This book was such a sweet romance about a music tutor, Viola Beaton (daughter of a very famous composer) who comes to teach the Duke of Westbury’s sisters but ends up being their friend, governess, chaperone and confidant too. All the while falling for the Wicked Duke but knowing she can never possibly be his duchess. He must marry an heiress and she’s as impoverished as they come.
Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury, has his own dark past and decided a long time ago to rebel against polite society and do whatever the damn hell he pleases. When he comes to realise how much it is affecting his sisters’ prospects of marriage, he decides that now is the time he may have to change his ways. Will he fail like his departed Papa predicted? Or will a certain music teacher turn him into the most respectable gentleman there ever was?
I really enjoyed this book, although having not read the previous in the series (this is book 3) I do intend going back and catching up on all the other characters that were mentioned. There is a very sweet moment in the book where her very-nearly deaf father struggles with his symphony and he saws off the legs of the pianoforte, he places it and himself on the floor to hear the vibrations, but the duke brings him a very expensive ear trumpet and the gratitude you feel from Viola at this simple gift was heart melting.
This is a lovely story of class differences which is one of my favourite tropes.
4.5 stars. Book out now.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an ARC via Netgalley. All thoughts and views are my own.
This book was such a sweet romance about a music tutor, Viola Beaton (daughter of a very famous composer) who comes to teach the Duke of Westbury’s sisters but ends up being their friend, governess, chaperone and confidant too. All the while falling for the Wicked Duke but knowing she can never possibly be his duchess. He must marry an heiress and she’s as impoverished as they come.
Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury, has his own dark past and decided a long time ago to rebel against polite society and do whatever the damn hell he pleases. When he comes to realise how much it is affecting his sisters’ prospects of marriage, he decides that now is the time he may have to change his ways. Will he fail like his departed Papa predicted? Or will a certain music teacher turn him into the most respectable gentleman there ever was?
I really enjoyed this book, although having not read the previous in the series (this is book 3) I do intend going back and catching up on all the other characters that were mentioned. There is a very sweet moment in the book where her very-nearly deaf father struggles with his symphony and he saws off the legs of the pianoforte, he places it and himself on the floor to hear the vibrations, but the duke brings him a very expensive ear trumpet and the gratitude you feel from Viola at this simple gift was heart melting.
This is a lovely story of class differences which is one of my favourite tropes.
4.5 stars. Book out now.
Thank you to the publisher (Avon Books) for an ARC via Netgalley. All thoughts and views are my own.
amberreadsalot's review
5.0
I have read and enjoyed the previous titles in this series by Lenora Bell, so I was looking forward to this book. I enjoyed it immensely, despite a few quibbles.
Viola Beaton as been acting as music teacher, governess, and household peacemaker in the home of Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury and the Wicked Duke of the title. She rarely sees him as she is occupied with his 5 sisters and he is indeed, wicked. The start of the story finds West hungover and broke. While attempting to head home, he overhears some harsh untruths about his sisters and some equally harsh truths about the impact his dismal reputation is having on their marriage chances. He decides he will fix everything - marry an heiress, marry off most of his sisters without actually giving them a Season, and then return to his profligate ways. Shockingly, his sisters were not on board with this idea, and Viola's attempts to help them bring her into the direct attention of the Wicked Duke. Did I mention she has been in love with him for years?
I adored Viola. She was smart and funny, and the way she used music throughout her POV to detail thoughts and emotions was so on point for her being a composer. I did not like that, prior to the point at which the book starts, she was apparently acting as a doormat, working without pay and doing the jobs of at least 3 people. I enjoyed watching her confidence in herself grow and the way that the men in her life supported her talents, albeit years too late in the case of her father.
I was less of a fan of West, though he did grow on me. I have never been a huge fan of stories where the heroine is in the employ of the hero. The power imbalance makes true romance somewhat impossible, in my opinion. West spent years thinking little of his sisters and not caring a whit what his behavior might do to them. Even his first "transformation" was solely to relieve his own guilty conscience and set things up so that he could continue to drink, gamble, and fornicate (as Viola would call it), Over the course of the book, he became a truly caring brother and a man who could see past the evils of his past and fall in love. With Viola, of course.
The American fiancee, evil suitor, and kidnap plot somehow don't make this book seem too much. 4.5 stars (rounded up) and I would definitely recommend.
Viola Beaton as been acting as music teacher, governess, and household peacemaker in the home of Brandan Delamar, Duke of Westbury and the Wicked Duke of the title. She rarely sees him as she is occupied with his 5 sisters and he is indeed, wicked. The start of the story finds West hungover and broke. While attempting to head home, he overhears some harsh untruths about his sisters and some equally harsh truths about the impact his dismal reputation is having on their marriage chances. He decides he will fix everything - marry an heiress, marry off most of his sisters without actually giving them a Season, and then return to his profligate ways. Shockingly, his sisters were not on board with this idea, and Viola's attempts to help them bring her into the direct attention of the Wicked Duke. Did I mention she has been in love with him for years?
I adored Viola. She was smart and funny, and the way she used music throughout her POV to detail thoughts and emotions was so on point for her being a composer. I did not like that, prior to the point at which the book starts, she was apparently acting as a doormat, working without pay and doing the jobs of at least 3 people. I enjoyed watching her confidence in herself grow and the way that the men in her life supported her talents, albeit years too late in the case of her father.
I was less of a fan of West, though he did grow on me. I have never been a huge fan of stories where the heroine is in the employ of the hero. The power imbalance makes true romance somewhat impossible, in my opinion. West spent years thinking little of his sisters and not caring a whit what his behavior might do to them. Even his first "transformation" was solely to relieve his own guilty conscience and set things up so that he could continue to drink, gamble, and fornicate (as Viola would call it), Over the course of the book, he became a truly caring brother and a man who could see past the evils of his past and fall in love. With Viola, of course.
The American fiancee, evil suitor, and kidnap plot somehow don't make this book seem too much. 4.5 stars (rounded up) and I would definitely recommend.
seeaudreyread's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
jillmlong's review
3.0
This was an enjoyable book. The characters had a nice banter between them. The duke's sisters were fun secondary characters. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
sheranel's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
andrea_author's review against another edition
5.0
A troubled past has left the Duke of Westbury scarred and cynical. It’s time for him to settle down and marry an heiress—yet he’s drawn to Viola, his sisters’ music teacher. Can they avoid a scandal?
I loved this story. West and Viola were sweet together and helped each other grow. There were some tense moments, but overall the tone was light and fun.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I loved this story. West and Viola were sweet together and helped each other grow. There were some tense moments, but overall the tone was light and fun.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
patricia_anna's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was excited to read Viola's story, but something about the Duke character put me off. He's not my favourite, but hey, you can't like everyone! I enjoyed the musical storyline, and the relationships between the female characters.
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75