⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. The Mad Duke discovers there are things worth living for in this touching story of redemption.

Whisky. Plenty of it. Keep it coming… That’s all that Alexander Blackwood, the notorious “Mad Duke” of London, desires. Determined to waste his life away, he manages to offend even his closest friends. But when he carelessly ruins Miss Emily Fitzwilliam while in a drunken stupor, he finds himself chained to the only woman in England who refuses to fear or fawn over him. It was the best day of her life… Until it wasn’t. Emily Fitzwilliam loses everything when she is scandalously ruined by the most notorious rake London has ever known. And worst of all, the bounder refuses to marry her! But the wicked Duke who destroyed her life is about to discover that payback is hell. A hasty marriage neither party wanted is about to become a passionate battle of wills as two warring hearts are destined to become one flesh, whether they like it or not.

MY THOUGHTS

Mad Duke March is the third book in The Rake Review series, one book for each month of the year written by different authors. And reminiscent of Bridgerton, it comes complete with its own scandal sheet, The Rake Review, penned by the Brazen Belle. Mr. March in our calendar of rakes is Alexander Blackwell, the Duke of Tyrone, aka the Mad Duke.

I’m starting to think this Brazen Belle is more like the Reckless Reporter. She sure seems to like spreading unfounded or exaggerated rumors.

The Mad Duke was less a rake and more a man trying his best to drown his pain in alcohol. This, of course, led him to make stupid decisions (you don’t say?) and put Emily in his path of perpetual mayhem. One forced marriage later and Emily was struggling to come to terms with her new circumstances. Turned out Tyrone’s self-destructive tendencies were no match for Emily’s stubbornness.

Tyrone’s slow ascent to decent humanhood was painful and emotional. Emily’s nurturing nature kept her determined to help him get there. There was an enormous growth arc for Tyrone, but it all made sense and was very believable. And it wasn’t all smooth sailing either. I liked the two of them together.

This is a fun series if you like steamy historical romance. Each book stands well on its own.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: March 1, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Warm
Series: The Rake Review
Other books in the series: Jilted in January, The Fake February Rake