The Dark Duke: Most Unsuitable

this second book in the Most Unsuitable Men trilogy has the supposedly plain Hester, whom we first met in The Wastrel (Most Unsuitable Men Trilogy, Book 1) (Harlequin Historical #344), whose beautiful sisters have both married, and whose parents never even try to find a husband for her. Hester then becomes companion to Duchess Barroughby-a vain harridan of a woman who treats everyone but her own son like scum. Hester endures the Duchesses ill temper stoically for several months until excitement is thrown into the household upon the arrival of the Duke of Barroughby, hated stepson to the Duchess, and reported Rake and Scoundrel. What quickly conspires is an intelligent meeting of the minds of two kind, but misunderstood, and lonely lovers. I throughly enjoyed this exceptional Harlequin Historical-which is even better than some of the big name mainstream Historical Romances out now. This book was as good as The Wastrel but completely different in tone, much darker in mood and in the romance area- while very loving and touching, it is also one of the cleanest Harlequin Historicals I've read-if you want juicy love scenes you won't find them in here. But I honestly do not feel that takes away from the story. I agree with the above reviewer-while The Dark Duke is set in Victorian England, it reads much more like a Regency book so fans of both eras should enjoy it. The first book, The Wastrel, is only mentioned in passing so you can read this as a stand alone. I eagerly look forward to reading what happened to Elliot-the Duke's semi villainous brother in the next book The Rogue's Return (Most Unsuitable Men Trilogy, Book 3) (Harlequin Historicals #376) next 4.5 stars!