The Trouble with Dukes

Windham Brides, Book 1

By: Grace Burrowes

Narrated by: James Langton

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

From the New York Times best-selling author of the beloved Windham series comes a wonderfully funny, moving romance, perfect for fans of sexy heroes, strong heroines, intelligent plots, and enchanting love stories.

They call him the Duke of Murder...

The gossips whisper that the new Duke of Murdoch is a brute, a murderer, and even worse - a Scot. They say he should never be trusted alone with a woman. But Megan Windham sees in Hamish something different, someone different.

No one was fiercer at war than Hamish MacHugh, though now the soldier faces a whole new battlefield: A London season. To make his sisters happy, he'll take on any challenge - even letting their friend Miss Windham teach him to waltz. Megan isn't the least bit intimidated by his dark reputation, but Hamish senses that she's fighting battles of her own. For her, he'll become the warrior once more, and for her, he might just lose his heart.

©2016 Grace Burrowes (P)2016 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Grace Burrowes writes from the heart - with warmth, humor, and a generous dash of sensuality, her stories are unputdownable! If you're not reading Grace Burrowes you're missing the very best in today's Regency Romance!" (Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times best-selling author)

"Sexy heroes, strong heroines, intelligent plots, enchanting love stories...Grace Burrowes's romances have them all." (Mary Balogh, New York Times best-selling author)

" The Trouble with Dukes is captivating! It has everything I love in a book - a sexy Scotsman, a charming heroine, witty banter, plenty of humor, and lots of heart." (Jennifer Ashley, New York Times best-selling author of The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie)

4.5 stars

I have read and listened to many of Grace Burrowes romances. I especially appreciate her intelligent writing and her portrayal of family relationships is very comforting. But in many of her books, there comes a point where I become most frustrated with a drawn-out spell of stupidity on either the hero's or more usually the heroine's part.

YAY! The Trouble with Dukes omits the aforementioned "daft" period and was consequently a more satisfying tale. If you know the Wyndham clan, you'll appreciate their reappearances.

I appreciate James Langton's baritone and variety of voices for the numerous male characters. He's a comfort listen for me.

The Trouble With Dukes

I loved this book. It was Regency with a few Scottish Highlanders thrown in, which I love.
I loved all of the Characters. However, apparently there was a series before this with the Windham family and I have never read that series. Therefore, keeping track of that large and lovely family was a bit difficult.
I loved the story! There were so many aspects to it. I wasn’t sure about a male narrator, but James Langton did a wonderful job! I’m buying the next book in the series as soon as I sign off on this review. I can’t wait to here the next two character’s stories. I don’t like my books dark and fact I love them best with a bit of humor. This book was not dark although it did have many memories of war which I found insightful. And at mostly it was light hearted with drama thrown in. Little or no foul language, two light sex scenes but not very descriptive.

My Musings

Wow! I LOVED this book. Meggie and Hamish are perfect for each other. Loved spending time with some of my favorite characters. The narrator is outstanding and truly brought them to life. I couldn't stop listening to this fantastic romantic tale. Happy reading!

I hate this book

I thought there would be witty banter. There is not! Just a rush of boring words spoken by a lackluster narrator. This was compared to Tessa Dare...no way no how. Whoever thought that is crazy. Two hours in and I'm bored. Cannot finish. Waste of money.

Cute and entertaining

The story started very cute and believable up until towards the end when the main villain was easily dispensed of. All that build up fizzled quickly in one quick scene. I just found the ending a bit goofy although I enjoyed listening to the story. James Langton's voice is made for narration however his performance here was OK. The heroine was given a Scott's accent when she and her siblings were supposedly raised in England except their mother whom was Scottish. Overall I give the narration and storyline a 3.

Tedious

This was my first book by this author and I purchased the entire series before starting it because I was able to purchase the last 2 on sale and didn’t want to start a new author half way through. I had an extremely difficult time following the story due to the numerous characters introduced as if I already knew he they were. Also, the the Scottish accent was hard for me to follow through a good portion of the book. I felt like I started streaming a television series in the fourth season. Of course I will finish the series, but I am disappointed I started this author.

Slow start but build up to an excellent story!

I got a little lost in the beginning with all the titled characters but as the story continued I got to know and enjoy them. I also enjoyed all the formalities of that era but can understand that the details is not for everyone. Overall I liked this story and the narrator very much !

Scottish delight

A delightful story of a newly made Duke of Scottish background. An ex-Army man, Hamish McHugh has somehow inherited the tittle of Duke of Murdoch, alias The Duke of Murder. He is in London with one of his brothers and their two sisters.He is painfully obliged to make all the rounds in polite society with his sisters. He comes to the rescue of Megan Wyndham when her supposed fiancé taunts her with dropping her much needed spectacles over the balcony. From there love begins to form between Hamish and Megan. Great story with delightful characters.

A fun story

This was a fun story. It had different elements that a lot of the regency era romance do not have. The narrator was fabulous. The characters had depth and growth. Good always wins. Traditional. Alpha males. Damsels in distress. Hot scenes, but not too detailed or lengthy that it is the only part of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this

Finally got to book 1. Thank you Audible!



This one follows Megan and Hamish. Megan is stuck in an impossible position. She had thought she loved a man and wrote so many love letters to him while he was away at war. Like a classic Golddigger/Rogue, he decided to take advantage when he got home and is blackmailing her to marry him. Hamish comes into the picture right after he is given the title of duke. Megan and Hamish become friends and then fall for each.



Ooooo Megan. Poor foolish girl. That evil man to take advantage of a young girl like that! I wanted someone to beat him. He is not a nice man and no one sees it. They see the golden boy of the ton. Ugh. But luckily Hamish is no fool and decides to help Megan.



What I really liked was that this is a romance, but it is also a character story. It shows some major development growth with our characters. They talk and become close. There really is no major drama. The only drama is that jerkface and the rude people who keep whispering about Hamish and his reputation during the war. Those people really stink.



The ending was a little abrupt and too easy to fix our issues. That is my only issue.



I love this family. I want to read more of the others!



This was a delightful listen. The more I listen to this narrator the more I like him. He really fits the story and the characters.



Overall, I enjoyed this. I had no real big issues except I felt like the ending was a little abrupt and the solution too easy. The story and characters had me hooked. The other really knows how to present a world and really gets under the skin of the characters. Sure it is a romance and you know they will get their HEA, but they have more than lust. We get to see them fall in love. The narrator is delightful for sure. I'll give this 4 stars.

Enjoyable

I have been a fan of the Windham family from the beginning I can't say I have enjoyed every book.
I do wonder how all the females get in such trouble, still a story has to have a cause.
However, the Hero and Heroine in this story make a good couple.
Each dealing with their own demons, yet managing to connect.
The story is easy to listen too and believable.
The secondary characters are well know, with a few new ones. In all bringing depth to the story and entertainment.

Disappointing

James Langston's excellent narration couldn't rescue this disappointing audiobook. I gave up half way through.

Way to confusing

I found it difficult to get into this story even though I persevered. There were way too many characters introduced all at the same time with so many different accents. I felt sorry for the narrator trying to keep to to Scottish, Welsh and English accents at the same time as trying to keep the narrative going which detracted from the story. I think St Just was Irish but lived in the North but didn't explain why.