Review: How to Tame Your Duke – Juliana Gray

Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe…

England, 1888. Quiet and scholarly Princess Emilie has always avoided adventure, until she’s forced to disguise herself as a tutor in the household of the imposing Duke of Ashland, a former soldier disfigured in battle and abandoned by his wife. When chance draws her into a secret liaison with the duke, Emilie can’t resist the opportunity to learn what lies behind his forbidding mask, and find out what adventure really means…

The duke never imagines that his son’s tutor and his mysterious golden-haired beauty are one and the same. But when the true identity of his lover is laid bare, Moreland must face the demons in his past in order to safeguard both his lady—and his heart.

Series:
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Source: Provided by Publisher
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Reviewer’s Thoughts

This novel is all the best of sweet and erotic fiction. Juliana Gray does an excellent job of laying out the plot and keeping true to the actual period for which she writes. She follows up with real historical facts at the conclusion of the book.

Stephanie, Emilie, and Luisa are sisters that are in danger of being killed just as their father was slain. The girls leave Germany to stay with an uncle. Their uncle, Olympia, decides to send them out to various households as servants and disguised as men. This book is the story of Emilie. The author does a great job of describing the bar brawl where Emilie meets the Duke, Ashland. I laughed imagining Emilie trying to fight and hold on to a chicken leg.

As Emilie tutors the duke’s son, Freddie, she becomes very curious about the monthly late night escapades of Ashland. While meeting with her former governess she is mistaken for his companion. They have a very, sweet but super hot affair. I loved, loved the way Emilie took matters into her own hands and came on to the duke despite knowing he was married. He can’t resist although his hesitance is admirable because he doesn’t want to commit adultery. I adored him. He’s a stand up, take charge guy. He was honorable, vulnerable, and just as willing to give love as to take. Despite his physical handicaps he was head and shoulders above many other heroes. He took in a daughter, continued to give his wife an allowance even after she left, and risked his life for Emilie. They were a great match.

There was a liberal amount of intrigue with bullets flying, poisoned drinks, covert agents, and several daring rescues. Several times the author would add inflection to a character’s dialogue. For example, He said “”come in”” and a note would read “”said as if he was saying I’ll let you in now but by God i don’t want you here. This added richness of detail and a dash of humor. This couple played no games. They loved each other and were fiercely protective of each other. I will definitely be reading about the other sisters.