Friday, April 26, 2013

Early Review: What the Duke Desires (The Duke's Men) by Sabrina Jeffries


Maximilian Cale, the Duke of Lyons, accepted long ago that his kidnapped brother was dead. When a cryptic note from investigator Tristan Bonnaud claims otherwise, Max seeks out Tristan’s sister, Lisette—and is infuriated to learn that Tristan has also mysteriously vanished. Have the siblings perpetrated an elaborate hoax? Or is the fiercely protective beauty as innocent as she claims them to be?

Fearful that the powerful Duke will destroy Tristan’s career in his zeal for the truth, the clever Lisette convinces Max to accompany her to Paris in a joint search for their loved ones. But their journey takes a seductive twist when they pose as an ordinary husband and wife—not an English Duke with a tarnished family name and the illegitimate daughter of a viscount—and discover an exhilarating passion free from the damning secrets of the past. With the line between danger and desire enticingly blurred, they discover that some mysteries, like those of the heart, are answered tenfold in the bliss of a true and trusting love.


Type: Historical Romance, England
Heat: 3 out of 5
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Release: June 18, 2013

Yeah, I'd so give the Duke any damn thing he Desired. Yum! I was so excited to hear Jeffries was coming out with a new series and jumped on the chance to read it and I loved pretty much every second of it. Sexy cover, delicious characters, a nice mystery and danger? Learning how to say cock in French? Yeah. I'm all over that!


Max and Lisette were pretty perfect for each other. An arrogant, overbearing Duke that's cold and calculated vs a bold and daring illegitimate daughter of a Duke that doesn't give a fig about his wealth or status and says just what she's thinking? Oh yeah. Sparks fly.
"Forgive me, madam, it appears that you and I got off on the wrong foot." 
"No," she shot back. "You got off on the wrong foot. I merely watched you shove it into your mouth."
There's all kinds of drama going on here. His brother died years earlier and suddenly her brother is sending him notes claiming to know something only he vanishes before they can meet up. Which leads to all sorts of adventures and danger as they try to find her missing brother and figure out what's going on...while pretending to be a married couple. *squee* I love that set up.

Max and Lisette played a bit with each other but in a wonderfully fun way that kept them each on their toes and made them so much fun to watch. The back and forth between them was incredible and gah very nice when things got a bit heated up. And it's like melt your shoes good. Did I mention yum already? Because...YUM!

I really loved that they had no problem calling each other out when they were wrong and that they were there for the other when they really needed them. Socially they might not be equals but when they interact they definitely are. There's a great mix of very serious moments and fun playful ones between them.

There were some really heartbreaking little moments along the way where I just want to hug them each tight as they worked through the emotions and drama of their childhoods. And with the impact their parents decisions long ago have had on their lives both past and present. It's quite the ride and had me near tears more than once.

I really just love the world Jeffries has created and that it's sort of set in the same world as her hellions series. I swear she can make me giddy with just one little line mentioning a character from a past book during the investigation because it brought back all those happy luscious moments from when I met them the first time and fell in love. It was such a treat, even though you never actually get to see them. But just knowing they're there and could be right around the corner going about their lives with the people they love. It made me so happy silly as that may be ;)

So, have I been won over to the new series? Hell freaking yeah! I had a great time reading this one and loved all the delicious potential for future heroes. Her brothers were so freaking sexy and there's someone from Max's past that got my attention too. I really hope they'll each have their stories told. They're so ones that'll make you smile and put a little twinkle in your eye. If you love historical romances that are more than just romance but adventure as well this is one to read.

Pre Order Your Copy

Alright, what say you? 
Have you read Jeffries? Do you have a favorite? 
Gonna pick this one up?

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