Cocky Duke

A Hero Club Novel

By: Annabelle Anders, Hero Club

Narrated by: Desireé Ketchum, Tim Campbell

Length: 7 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

Mrs. Ambrosia Bloomington, now a widow, is ready to start a new life amongst Mayfair elites without the overarching reach of her late husband, Mr. Harrison Bloomington. With her trunks loaded safely onto her own private carriage, she's ready to face the world as an independent woman in Regency London.  

She does not, however, bargain for cocksure Frenchman, Mr. Charles Cochran Bateman coming along and turning her very ordinary journey into the adventure of a lifetime.   

She does not bargain for his laughter, his enthusiasm, nor his Joie de vie.  

And blast and fiddlesticks, she certainly is not expecting to experience the sparks that charge the air between them.  

And, it seems, apparently, neither is he....

©2020 Annabelle Anders and Cocky Hero Club, Inc. (P)2020 Audible, Inc.

Cocky Duke

Cute addition to the Cocky Hero Club! Loved this retelling of Cocky Bastard as a historical romance. Of course it wasn’t the same but the major plot themes were there. She’s recently widowed (in this case) and traveling across England to a new home. He meets her and they end up traveling together. Instead of a blind, fainting goat they have a big toothless dog but he’s just as loveable. Fun listen for the day

A Wonderful Second Chance

First off, the narration on this book was fantastic! I knew Tim Campbell would be his "swoon worthy" self in the characters voices & he lived up to my expectations & beyond. I was very impressed with Desireé Ketchum - she did a fabulous presentation & I enjoyed her voices of the characters immensely.

I had read Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland and this was a mirror of the book in different centuries. Cocky Bastard was from the 21st Century & Annabelle Anders' Cocky Duke takes place in 1823 Regency England.

The first half of the book is given in Ambrosia Bloomington's (Aubrey) point of view. She is kind, non-confrontational & a lovely young widow on her way to begin in new life in London. She has inherited a townhouse in Mayfair & enough yearly allowance to be self sufficient. Her biggest worry is establishing herself in society.

Chance Bateman gives his side of the book in the second half. He is a handsome, cocky, hilarious man that finds humor in life but he hides many secrets & responsibilities from the outside world. He is travelling to his home for his 30th birthday party but it is obviously not a happy occasion for him.

Due to many unforeseen problems, Aubrey & Chance are thrown together to travel across the country together with her driver & the wonderful little rescued dog, Mr. Dog. I felt all the emotions possible between this couple - I went from laughing out loud to having my heart ache, in the space of a few pages. I highly recommend this book to all romance readers - Annabelle Anders has created the perfect couple to complete the perfect story & I will remember this book for a long time.

Heaven

Tres' Magnifique! Amazing, Perfect, No, more than Perfect. Romantic beyond words. Going into this story I was thinking light hearted, funny, romantic. So I was not prepared for the deep emotions that wrapped around my heart. Oh yes there is the wonderful humor that Annabelle Anders always creates and of course precious Lancelot that will win your heart. (although it was Guinevere that started it all, kind of..)
Then add in the audible with Desiree' Ketchum, who set the perfect tone and inflections for our heroine Aubrey's thoughts, which was half the book . Then the fabulous Tim Campbell (just talk to me!) voiced the Cocky Duke, aka Chance Bateman, aka sigh worthy beyond belief and I was mesmerized! Yes I sound besotted and I will admit it. Yes, yes I am.
Combine a widow who only wants to be happy and is travelling to London to set up her household, a beyond handsome Frenchman who finds himself without his beloved Guinevere and ends up riding with her in the coach and a sizzling attraction that literally squeezed my heart, and you have one of the best books I have read/listened to this year. I am so glad I listened to this in audible because these amazing narrators make you feel you are there with them and watching it unfold. Of course that would not be possible with the gift this author has in creating her fabulous stories.!

French Duke and his Princess

I totally recommend this book. The dual narration was very well done. It was a very heartfelt lovdstory as told from the hero and heroine perspectives. There was humor and romance that were great. M heart broke for Chance and Ambrosia. The road to the HEA is a rough and long one, but oh so worth the journey. I highly recommend this and any by Annabelle Anders. Five stars.

Fate

Aubrey was a widow on her way to London. As she spots a handsome gentlemen grooming his horse, she is intrigued. As he is of her.
Mr. Bateman is hiding quite a few secrets.
As Audrey tries her best to get over Mr. Bateman, he shows up. Hurt beyond belief she makes him work hard for her affections.
He tells her his story, and she tries to make the right decision towards their future.
Fate has a way of May things end up as they should.
I enjoyed listening to this story. Some parts were quite angsty, loving and enjoyable.
I would definitely recommend this story.

better than expected

I am not a big fan of historical romance, so I almost skipped this one, but I want to read all the cocky hero club books, so I gave it a chance. I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this adaption of cocky bastard.

Loved it!

This book had a slow burning heat with great chemistry and banter between the characters. A great retelling regency style of the Cocky Bastard book. I already read and loved Ambrosia and Chance’s story but these narrators were wonderful!

Just ok

The first book that started the “Hero Club Series” Soraya and Graham’s story Is “Stuck-Up Suit” by ViKeeland and Penelope Ward it took me forever to figure it out.
You don’t need to read the first book but if you want to....

Chance and Aubrey

Swoon!!! This is such a great rewrite in a different era and so romantic. Loved every minute of it.

1800's Cocky Bastard

Interesting take on the original Cocky Bastard book set in the 1800's. Story flowed well and the narrators did a good job. Female narrator did amazing. I wasn't all that pleased how the book was divided in first half girl perspective and second half male. I would like to have a better balance.