All Duke and Bothered

Dukes and Secrets, Book 1

By: Mariah Stone

Narrated by: Shane East, Justine Eyre

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Brooding Duke. Notorious rake. Driven by grief. Forcing his enemy’s daughter into marriage for revenge. About to lose his heart.

Vengeance. Preston Seaton, the Duke of Grandhampton will bring down the man who killed his brother through any means necessary. So when Lord Neville Beckett auctions off his daughter’s hand in marriage to pay his debts, Preston makes a bid Beckett can’t refuse—evidence of murder.

Dreaming of a career as an artist, Penelope welcomes her future as a spinster. So when her father accepts the proposal of a man who despises her, she longs to flee. But she cannot abandon her poor, old father to his destruction. Moving into the powerful duke’s huge mansion, she wonders if she will ever escape this cold, dark prison.

Convinced Penelope played his brother for a fool and got him killed, Preston has no intention of losing his heart. But the sunny artist is soon filling his home with light and joy. Could a forced marriage forged from hatred ever lead to true happiness? And can Preston forgive himself for desiring the only woman his brother ever loved?

Read by the award-winning narrator, Audie finalist, and Earphones for excellence in narration winner, Shane East, and Justine Eyre, a classically trained actor and narrator has been honored to receive a coveted Audie Award and multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards.

©2023 Stone Publishing B.V. (P)2024 Stone Publishing B.V.

Mariah Stone kept me riveted from the start up to its surprising ending.

Fabulous and emotional story and emotional narration by Justine Eyre and Shane East. Excited to continue on this series, and also need to discover what really happened to Spencer!

Rather Unlikable Female Main

Story had great potential but it was so hard to like the main female character. Her father repeatedly caused death and destruction but she keeps making excuses and choosing him over the husband who is going above and beyond to make her happy (and whose brother was murdered by her father). Such an unsatisfying ending as the murderer gets away with it and doesn't actually have to face the consequences of his actions. He sold his daughter and then almost killed her. Oh and hiding really important info until he gets a payout. Yeah not a fan

Melodrama in Costume

I adore narrator Shane East and will sample almost any series that he narrates. This period drama has more in common with modern day soap operas than I expected and it ends with a cliffhanger. Although the characters are somewhat compelling, there is a developmental shallowness that grates throughout and an exaggerated theme of love or vengeance that feels forced. While I did not enjoy the story as much as I had hoped, it might be a comfortable fit for readers who like their romances with more drama than I do.

Second brother now the Duke marries for revenge

The brother, Spencer, wanted to marry Penelope. He was a Duke and a rake, but the father who noticed his attention to his daughter was afraid he would seduce her. He made plans to have the Duke beaten to slow his seduction. Unfortunately, it was believed the Duke, Spencer, died from his injuries. The second son, Preston , now was the new Duke.. He married Penelope to exact revenge as he believed Penelope and her father try to take advantage of Spencer.
Interesting story with HEA. Great narrators.

wtf ending

Won't be reading the rest of the series. Absurd story line. I'm so annoyed. A guy burns down your house and you have to apologize to him for your wife to be happy? wft?