The Illegitimate Duke

Diamonds in the Rough

De: Sophie Barnes

Narrado por: Carolyn Morris

United in a common cause...

Lady Juliette Matthews longs to be much more than just another pretty ornament in society. But using her recently acquired fortune to do some good is more complicated than she anticipated. Young ladies are not expected to risk their safety in helping the less fortunate. And the one gentleman who could help in her mission is stubborn and infernally handsome - and far too honorable to act on their mutual attraction.

And in a desire impossible to deny...

Florian Lowell has suddenly been made heir to the duke of Redding - a far cry from his status as a dedicated physician. Yet even with his new role as the country’s most eligible bachelor, the beautiful, fearless Juliette is utterly beyond his reach. The scandalous circumstances of his birth would destroy both their reputations if they became known. But when a more urgent danger threatens Juliette’s life, Florian must gamble everything...including the heart only one woman can tame.

©2018 Sophie Barnes (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Story was Good

it was a nice period romance novel that was easy to listen to and had some interesting plot lines.

Entire backstory is missing

This is the last in a 3 part series. I am not sure why the first 2 are not available. The story starts with so much already having occurred , it's like playing catch-up. Both the h & h have so much past baggage that it makes understanding them very difficult. Relationships are already established and the reader is unaware of how it happened. This is a book that really needs the previous novels to fleshout the characters and their motivations.
The heroine comes from the London slum of St. Giles, but is now the most desireable woman around. The hero seems to have a crime lord for a father ( that he has tried to have arrested/hanged...so there is a grudge between them), but how this happened is anyone's guess..hence the novel's title! All of these elements are key to the story, but how is unknown, so I am a little lost.
I am half way through and hopefully things will clear up, but the first half of this book is a little confusing. I will keep going but not with a great deal of pleasure,, only the need to answer some questions.
I wish Audible had either obtained the first 2 or provided some indication that it was the third in the series and not really a stand alone novel.
I really love C Morris. Her narration is wonderful and I bought the book for her. She does not let me down.