My Once and Future Duke
The Wagers of Sin
-
-
4.3 • 229 Ratings
-
-
- $8.99
Publisher Description
What happens at the infamous Vega Club . . .
Sophie Campbell is determined to be mistress of her own fate. Surviving on her skill at cards, she never risks what she can’t afford to lose. Yet when the Duke of Ware proposes a scandalous wager that’s too extravagant to refuse, she can’t resist. If she wins, she’ll get five thousand pounds, enough to secure her independence forever.
Stays at the Vega Club . . .
Jack Lindeville, Duke of Ware, tells himself he’s at the Vega Club merely to save his reckless brother from losing everything, but he knows it’s a lie. He can’t keep his eyes off Sophie, and to get her he breaks his ironclad rule against gambling. If he wins, he wants her—for a week.
Until now.
A week with Jack could ruin what’s left of Sophie’s reputation. It might even cost her her heart. But when it comes to love, all bets are off . . .
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Linden opens a Regency-era series with this poorly characterized but tender romance. Sophie Campbell learned how to be a proper lady at Mrs. Upton's Academy of Young Ladies, and, in Regency England, ladies do not gamble. However, practical Sophie knows that gambling is her only way to survive financially until she can save enough or find a proper husband. Staying respectable while frequenting gaming clubs is a tricky balance, but Sophie is methodical and avoids risks until, abruptly, she taunts Jack Lindeville, the Duke of Ware, and greedily accepts a scandalous bet. Love and passion making people act out of character is common in romance novels, but Sophie's change comes too fast. Jack is the stiff duke responsible for his scolding mother and impetuous brother, but Sophie makes him reckless. Sophie's choice to continue their affair in London is at odds with her usual demeanor, but their spark helps Jack rediscover things that made him laugh, and his reawakening is a joy to read. Even with the whiplash between propriety and scandal, Sophie and Jack's romance manages to be simultaneously tempestuous, funny, and sweet. The supporting cast is not well fleshed out, leaving it unclear where this series is going next.
Customer Reviews
A Gamble for Love
Jack, Duke of Ware, never gambles, but his brother does – excessively. In an effort to teach his brother a lesson, he breaks his rules and makes a bet with Sophie Campbell, with whom his brother is prone to gamble. He wins – her company for a week – and off they go to the country. From there, the story becomes quite interesting and engaging. There is definitely an attraction, but how will they handle it?
This is a charming, sometimes funny love story. The chemistry between Jack and Sophie is irresistible. The secondary characters fit their roles perfectly. The story flows right along at a nice pace and has a couple of twists and surprises you’ll like. This is a good one; don’t miss it.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Edelweiss.
A Wonderful Story!!!
Entertaining from beginning to end, I loved this story. A tale of two people with very different upbringings that manage to find each other in an unusual way. Or is it fate? I think it may have been with the engaging heroine Sophie who has learned to survive since her parents died when she was very young. Left in the care of a grandfather who wanted nothing to do with her, he packaged her off to school as soon as he could. Then she made her way to London and that is where she meets our hero, Jack, the Duke of Ware. An unconventional meeting and a gamble of importance throws them together and as I said, I think fate had a hand. Jack, having taken his duties as Duke very seriously had pretty much kept all his emotions under control. Upon meeting Sophia an adventure began that kept me turning the pages with the wonderful descriptions and dialogue. The strong emotions and feelings came alive as Caroline Linden took me through this wonderful story that anything is possible. I truly cannot wait to read more in this series and know I will remember this one for awhile to come!!
Excellent!
This book is the first in a new series by Caroline Linden, and I am really looking forward to the rest of the series. As usual, the book features strong characters and great imagery, it's easy to imagine the scenes and locations in the book. I enjoyed how we first met the characters separate, and once they met their relationship grew gradually. I did think there were a few conflicts that could have been more easily resolved has the characters merely talked to each other about them - but that is often an issue in romance novels. Altogether this was a very enjoyable book, highly recommended!
I did receive an ARC of this book in return for my honest review. I would have purchased it anyway!