The Duchess

The Scandalous Ladies of London, Book 2

By: Sophie Jordan

Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells

The thrilling second book in New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan’s amazing new high concept series, The Scandalous Ladies of London, which chronicles the lives of a group of affluent ladies reigning over glittering Regency-era London, vying for position in the hierarchy of the ton. They are the young wives, widows, and daughters of London’s wealthiest families. The drama is big, the money runs deep, and the shade is real. Life is different in the ton.

“I liked my husband well enough … but I like him even better dead.”

It’s been a year since her wretched cad of a husband died and Valencia, the Dowager Duchess of Dedham, is finally her own woman. Flitting from party to party, freedom is sweet and life should be perfect. Until the new duke surfaces.

Nothing like the haughty noblemen who populate the ton, Rhain, the newly minted Duke of Dedham, is a big brawny Welshman with an accent that makes Valencia’s knees go weak as he boldly moves into her home with his six wild unwed sisters. The rude and humorless usurper thinks her vain and spoiled. But with a pittance to her name, Valencia needs his support to remain in London and enjoy all the pleasures her new position as a merry widow has to offer.

So a bargain is struck. Valencia will usher his sisters into Good Society and see them happily betrothed. In return, he’ll give her the financial security and independence she craves. But the more time they spend beneath the same roof, the more she realizes it's not safety she wants but the dangerously seductive Rhain. Valencia has vowed never to risk marriage again. And yet how can she resist the tempting man when he might be the greatest adventure of her life?

©2024 Sophie Jordan (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Such a delight

Loved Valencia’s story very much. As always Mary Jane Wells excels at bringing the characters to life. Devoured this book in less than 24 hours because I could not bear to stop listening.

Unexpected delightful story!

I’m looking forward to listening to more audiobooks about this series…
The author and narrator are awesome

Totally unexpected plot twist

This book was fantastic. The writer is so descriptive I can’t picture everything. The plot was interesting. Mary Jane Wells is one of the best readers and read this book beautifully.

Great group of people

I enjoyed the introduction to this group of people. My only complaint is that no real feelings are expressed until the final few moments… maybe two chapters.

Great story teller

I love Sophie Jordan’s writing. It’s humorous, touching and relatable in any century or decade. Some readers may prefer more dialogue but with Ms. Jordan’s skill, it works very well because it’s as if you’re sitting down with the characters and they’re telling the reader their stories.

Thoroughly enjoyed...

I'm a HUGE MJW's fan so that was the draw....and I LOVED IT! Wonderful storyline and characters.

the narrator was amazing

I loved the storyline and want it to continue. The narrator was amazing and the story flowed easily.

Phenomenal

Mary Jane Wells and a Welsh accent…chef’s kiss *! There should be a trigger warning though for domestic violence and threatened sexual assault.

The characters

Well written and nicely flowing story. Great wrap up and build of suspense and overcoming danger.

Why a raunchy porn club?

Didn't develop a romance, it was like a guy wrote this. wham bam thank you ma'am. MJWells fabulous performance.