My Darling Duke

Sinful Wallflowers Series, Book 1

By: Stacy Reid

Narrated by: Mary Sarah

Length: 10 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

Miss Katherine Danvers has always been a wallflower. But now with her family on the brink of financial ruin, she finds herself a desperate wallflower. To save her family, she'll do anything. Luckily, she has the perfect plan....

She'll impress the ton by simply announcing she is engaged to the reclusive and mysterious Duke of Thornton, Alexander Masters, and secure strong matches for her sisters. No one has heard from the duke in years. Surely he'll never find out before her sisters' weddings and she can go back to her own quiet life.

Soon, though, everything is out of control. At first, it's just a few new ball gowns on the duke's accounts. Then it's interviews with reporters eager for gossip. Before she knows it, Katherine has transformed herself into Kitty Danvers, charming and clever belle of the ton - with everyone eager to meet her thankfully absent fiance.

But when the enigmatic Alexander Masters suddenly arrives in the city, dashing and oh so angry, he demands retribution. Except not in the way Katherine expected....

Contains mature themes.

©2020 Stacy Reid (P)2019 Tantor

Breathy slow burn several hours too long

The first chapter had me cringing and thinking there was no way I’d stick with the whispery, weirdly enunciated, almost Moaning Myrtle narration. Yet, with every chapter, the at once prim and also sultry narration grew on me. By the end, I thought the narration very fitting, enough that, combined with the story, I’ve wish-listed the next book to await a sale.

The story proceed in reverse; I very much liked the opening chapters, with Katherine’s false engagement and then Alexander’s sparring over her deception. The switch from London to Scotland delivered a fresh Beauty and the Beast take. But, the pacing got slower and frustratingly, needlessly more angsty with every chapter. This story could have resolved at 8 hrs, but there is a predictable conflict prolonging the HEA another 3 hrs. I was at 4 ⭐️ “Great” until the final 3hrs dragged me down to 3 ⭐️ “Good.”

Random disappointments: there were too many times her “stomach unfurls” or “something stirred within him,” other than some kisses and finger-action this book is nooky free until the single scene/HEA in the final 30min, and there were at least three references to her quim that fizzled the sizzle right out of my regency loving soul.

SLOW!! and HARD TO UNDERSAND NARRATOR MARY SARAH!!

Miss Katherine Danvers announces to the Ton that she is betrothed to Alexander Masters Duke of Thornton. Alexander has not been seen by the Ton in 7 years. He has suffered extensive burns and severely broken bones when he jumps from the window of his burning home with his young sister in his arms. There parents die in the fire. Alexander will never walk again and he is impotent never to be able to have sex again therefore never to have children. After years of practicing he is able to stand and walk around for a few hours each day. But he still cannot obtain and erection.

Katherine know as Kitty, is in shock and scared that her Rouse will be outed by the Duke when he shows up at a Ball she is attending. Kitty is brave for she meets with him and tells the truth about her lies and why she started the Rouse.

Alexander likes Kitty and finds her different and not afraid to look at him and his numerous scares. They have strong sexual attraction and he does not understand how this can be sense he is impotent . Cant get an erection. But he starts having sexual stirrings with Kitty.

The only problem I have with the story is it is a bit boring and moves very slow.

I also had trouble understanding the narrator Mary Sarah, her voice is very soft and low during the recording and her English accent at times was very hard to understand. I know American English and British English is a bit different but her accent was to heavy for my American Ears.

awesome

a must read. you will laugh outloud. a wonderful and romantic story. please read and enjoy as I did

Fantastic

This book was incredible ad the Narrator was chosen perfectly! I will be purchasing all her books in the future!

Love Stacy Reid but the narrator is AWFUL

This is a case of a good story being absolutely ruined by terrible narration- please and Reid try to control who the publisher uses for your lovely books - and Sarah please go back and keep learning and only accept books that you will help not harm

Sorry but this was painful

Riveting

I loved this book could not turn it off and have listened to it three times

Very good characters - fantastic story

I listened to this book non-stop. Stayed up all night so it is a good thing I am retired. The H and H are both very likable characters. Kitty is audacious and brave. Alexander is broken and scarred from an accident 10 years ago but he does his best to try to overcome his painful situation. I really liked the part where Alexander and Kitty go to Scotland and meet all the staff at Alexander's castle. Their stay at the castle was magical in my opinion.

Loved it!

What an unexpected surprise this book was! The story was intriguing and I thought the narration was great. I know the reviews on here are overwhelmingly negative regarding the narrator but I thought the pace really contributed to the unfolding of the feelings the characters developed for each other, I have read many historical romances and this one is up their with my favorites. This was my first from this author but definitely won’t be my last!

Story good, narrator terrible

The narrator made listening to the story a task. It seemed the did not have a British accent so whispered to hide that observation. The story itself was good though.

Steamy and heart wrenching

This book kept me on the edge of my emotional seat. It was steamy but had moments that brought tears to my eyes. The narrator did a great job expressing those emotions. Great start to this series!