Book Review #dukemostwicked #lenorabell #netgalley #avonbooks
I absolutely adored this novel, I adore Lenora Bell and the Wallflower vs. Rogue series! Bell's third installment in this series, sparkles with wit and charm and burns with sensuality. Bell's writing is wonderful and brings to life this delightful romance and promises lot's of more delight to come from this series! I think this series gets better and better with each installment and Bell is doing a fantastic job bringing to life a variety of characters who are well rounded and strong. If you love watching a hero discover love and heroine finding her true inner strength, this is the novel for you!
Viola is a music instructor to a rakish duke's sisters. She is steadfast, and full of charm, but she ofter feel like the side character in her own story. She has secretly be harboring a crush for the duke, but she knows that it can never be, because he is in need of an heiress. Brandan, the duke, was scarred by a dark secret in his youth, and has lived a carefree life of drinking and gambling. But now that his sisters need to make advantageous matches, he knows he must put his life back on the straight and narrow.
I was so charmed and taken by Viola as the heroine, she is smart, she is an artist, she is strong, she is optimistic, she quietly stays in her place until she knows she must stand up for herself and the people she cares about. I love that she is able to find her strength and stand up to Brandan in many moments that help not only her but the people she cares most about. I loved Brandan as our hero, he is fun and lighthearted on the surface but deep down he feels deeply and cares strongly. I love watching Viola and Brandon's relationship grow from friendly to true friends. I love that Brandan begins to see Viola for who she truly is, I love that he is proud of her talent and I love that he encourages her to embrace her brilliance. I love that Viola and Brandan are both strong and capable on their own, but together they are dynamite and bold. This friends to lovers romance is carefully built through trust and understanding and a steady building of sensuality. And while this romance is a bit of a slow burn it is well worth the wait when these two explode passionately together. Bell does a beautiful job building a foundation for them to develop deep feelings, and giving Brandan the insight to know that he will not settle for anything less than Viola. Viola also learns her true value and will not settle for less than what she truly deserves as well.
If you love a wallflower and a rake, you will love this novel! This is an absolutely must read for any historical romance lover!
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.