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The Dissolute Duke
368 pages
A deliciously angsty tale of an estranged marriage rekindled through a scandalous bargain and simmering, long-denied passion.
What it feels like
This historical romance thrives on the delicious, heavy tension of a marriage left to wither, only to be suddenly and forcefully revived. The reading experience is brisk and emotionally charged, pulling you immediately into the fraught dynamic between two people bound by law but separated by scandal and pride. The atmosphere is steeped in the whispers of high society, contrasting the cold judgment of the ton with the heated, private vulnerability of the bedroom. It feels brooding and yearning, driven by a narrative that peels back the layers of a notorious reputation to reveal the wounded heart beneath. Perfect for readers who devour second-chance romances and marriage-of-convenience tropes, it delivers a deeply satisfying journey from bitter estrangement to a fiercely protective, hard-won love.
- Mood
- tension-filled
- yearning
- scandal-steeped
- sensual
- Tone
- dramatic
- brooding
- romantic
- earnest
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- second chances in marriage · uncovering hidden vulnerabilities · the weight of reputation · bargains of the heart
- The writing
- Accessible and emotionally charged, focusing heavily on internal longing and the crackling tension between the leads.
- The arc
- Moves from bitter estrangement and guarded resentment to a vulnerable, hard-won intimacy.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love high-angst historical romances where estranged spouses must navigate a minefield of past hurts to find true passion.
Content notes
- abandonment
- scandal and public shaming
- sexual content
About the book
The rumor is up and the banns are read....
The Dissolute Duke has finally wed! With a name synonymous with sin and debauchery so shocking it is spoken of only in whispers, Taylen Ellesmere, Duke of Alderworth, is more surprised than anyone when he finds himself forced to marry! Before the ink is dry on the register, he turns his back on this sham of a marriage and leaves.
Three years later, having barely survived the scandal, Lady Lucinda has placed one delicately shod foot back in the hallowed halls of the ton when her husband returns. He has an offer she can't refuse. And in exchange? Their wedding night!
Description from Open Library.
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