Ten Things I Hate About the Duke

Oh, Loretta Chase. I love many things about her writing--in particular how I never feel reading one of her historical romances that it's actually a modern romance with historical trappings. That said, Ten Things I Hate About the Duke is a pretty slow burn romance between Cassandra Pomfret, a noblewoman who chafes at the narrow role in which she's boxed, and the Lucius, the Duke of Ashmont, who frankly is a hot drunken mess. The two met as children, and then collide again in a Taming of the Shrew-riff. At first I struggled, and then slowly things picked up, and Chase's facility with language kept me engaged. My only disappointment really is that it's never explained why until Ashmont meets Cassandra again that he's found such enjoyment in being dissolute--it makes him seem ridiculously immature. That said, the ending is quite swoonworthy.

This is second in a series of three dukes, know as the disgraces; I don't think you need to read to the first, as it's been quite some time since I read that novel, and didn't feel out to sea.

4.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I greatly enjoyed the story Cassandra Pomfret and Lucius, the Duke of Ashmont. Cassandra and Lucius begin their story on totally opposite ends of the spectrum. Fortunately, a run in with Cassandra sets Lucius on a path of growth. It is wonderful watching their romance develop. All could have been lost for this couple had Cassandra’s father not issued an edict that Cassandra’s sister, whom she loves very much, could not come out until Cassandra was settled in marriage.

I found this book entertaining because the two main characters were interesting and funny. It was great to watch Lucius grow as a person without losing his wit and charm. He remains a lovable scamp throughout the book. Cassandra is an intelligent and strong female character who wants to make difference in world. The dialogue between the characters is witty and humorous.

I read this book quite quickly. I was not disappointed in the end, but I was disappointed it was over. I would highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn and Lorraine Heath.

I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Loretta Chase always writes amusing, sympathetic, complex main characters. In Ten Things I Hate About the Duke, we meet Cassandra Pomfret, and we are reacquainted with Luscious Lucius, the Duke of Ashmont (whose fiancee ran away with his best friend in the previous book in the series, A Duke in Shining Armor).

As the title suggests, there are quite a few riffs on The Taming of the Shrew in addition to many more Shakespearean references. Cassandra is a notoriously outspoken young noblewoman who has recently returned to London from abroad. Her sister Hyacinth is the Season's most popular debutante. When Cassandra makes a splash at a political speech, her father lays down the law: Hyacinth's Season is over unless and until Cassandra will also take part.

The book opens for Lucius immediately after the duel in A Duke in Shining Armor. On what he sees as the worst day of his life, he continues his downward spiral by causing a carriage accident. And whose carriage is it? Cassandra's. After their meet-cute (she basically tells him to sober up and take responsibility for his actions), they part ways... until Ashmont decides that Cassandra would make the perfect wife. As a cover for his attentions, he helps his friend with his own courtship of Hyacinth.

Luckily, the similarities between Shrew and pretty much end there. Ashmont does not try to "tame" Cassandra, nor does he make a bet or take any cash from his friend to get Cassandra out of the way so that Hyacinth can return to Society. Instead, he learns about what's important to her (!), reads her favorite books (!!), and then listens when she talks (!!!). As in the best romance novels, the character growth (both individually and in a relationship) is given the most weight, and when our couple finally ends up together, we can see how what they've learned makes them perfect for each other.

Highly recommended!

I love this semi-updated Taming of the Shrew. It's not as updated as the movie 10 Things I Hate About You, so it fits in a great little niche as a historical romance. I could not wait to see how the author would spin this story. It's my first book by her, and I loved it. I went right out and purchased book 1 of this series after reading this one. Wonderful characters, scenery, romance, and a brilliant update of a beloved classic!

The Duke of Ashmont, a golden haired, blue eyed Apollo. The most beautiful creature Cassandra Pomfret’s ten-year-old self had ever seen. Her young love was doomed to disappointment over the years as he grew into a dim-witted waste of a human being. Only five days before, he was jilted on his wedding day (see book 1.) Cassandra herself was outspoken, always in trouble with society- a shrew. Drunken bad luck throws them together and his solution is they must marry to save her reputation. She throws a teapot at him as her response. Such clever descriptions. Ashmont pondering, excercising his brain. Cassandra’s point system making him want to please her. He had one point, 5,999 to go! I like that Cassandra had her eyes wide open to his faults. Drinking, gambling, women, pranks. She flat out told him she didn’t trust him and shouldn’t be doomed to marrying him. Doomed! He’s a Duke! The hilarity continued with her parents. Her stern father despises him and isn’t afraid to show it. When her mother trades insults with her frenemy couched in polite chitchat I couldn’t stop laughing. Luckily, Ashmont tries to change his ways and appreciates Cassandra’s boldness. She finds the good in him and they bungle along in a fun-filled courtship.

While I haven't read the first book in this series (yet), I adored both main characters in this book. Cassandra and Lucius are both considered outrageous by the ton, but in very different, gender-influenced ways. And yet their personalities match and both grow into better people because of the other. I highly recommend this story.

1) Reformed Rake - checked.
2) Sassy Heroine - checked.
3) Childhood crush - checked.

I loved these two and how they changed as the story unfolded. Cassandra and Ashmont, wild creatures meant to be together.

What a read! Expecting a soft sweet romance, I was laugh out loud surprised to find myself flying through a book that delivered so much more. Loretta Chase always writes engaging books, but I truly feel she's outdone herself here. Fans of Shakespeare with "The Taming of the Shrew" and the 90's classic "10 Things I Hate about You" will absolutely love this historical play on the classic storyline.

Cassandra, our female lead is a refreshingly bold and opinionated woman that of course is thought of as "Medusa" by some. I've read other reviews and some readers don't seem to like her somewhat practical responses and approaches, but I loved it! She is considered an on the shelf spinster at 25, which I think would make anyone a little frustrated with societal norms of the time.

As we learn about this character, we find that her opinionated nature is never more present when she's around her childhood crush, Ashmont. Our hero is the opposite of Cassandra in the most delicious way. A prankster at heart, he's never once considered his actions in the entirety of his life. Which again, classic of what you always read of that time. A privileged male who does as he pleases no matter the wake of disasters flaring out behind him.

Thankfully Ashmont begins to adjust that attitude when he runs into Cassandra at the scene of his latest and greatest mistake. And when I say you find yourself falling into sea of sexual tension and playful bantering... whew! I've seen that other readers are annoyed that there are only two physically sexual scenes in the book, but sometimes the journey is a far greater reward. This novel reminds me of television shows where the two main characters don't get together until season four. You're on the edge of your seat during season's 1-3, and then once they're together, where's the excitement?

This book is now among my favorites. I've always loved enemies to lovers, and this one delivers whole-heartedly! I can't believe I haven't read the others in the Difficult Dukes Series, but I will be searching them out as soon as I finish writing this. And while it is part of a series, you can still read it as a standalone as I did. The next in the series appears to be Alice and Blackwood's story, which I can't wait to check out.

Giving this five well deserved stars, check it out for yourself and form your own opinion, I enjoyed every second as a rake was reformed!

My opinions are my own and freely given. Posting in Goodreads, B&N, Amazon and Netgalley. I can't wait to take this one to my bookclub!

Ten Things I Hate About the Duke by Loretta Chase is a delightful read! Cassandra Pomfret is outspoken and determined, two things that make her thoroughly unmarriageable. When a series of mishaps ends up with her being thrown together with the Duke of Ashmont, one of London's most disgraceful dukes, she wants nothing to do with him or his disreputable habits. Ashmont, however, sets out to woo the prickly Cassandra and win her heart.

Somehow this is the first of Loretta Chase's books I've read, so I wasn't sure what to expect. The story started off a little slowly, with lots of references to other characters and events (this is the second book in a series) and so I was a little thrown off, but quickly caught up and was able to greatly enjoy the book.

It's often said in historical romance that "reformed rakes make the best husbands", but I haven't seen many books tackle the reformation quite as head-on as this one does. From Ashmont's point of view we see him striving to overcome his ingrained habits to be a better person, and to be the person Cassandra needs him to be. We (and Cassandra) see him doing the work to turn himself around, and so the happy-ever-after is especially gratifying.

I would definitely recommend this book, and I look forward to reading the book preceding this, as well as the next one when it is available.

I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest feedback.

NOTE: This review will be published on all social media platforms the week before publication.

I think this is one of the best books I have read this summer. It was written in such a refreshing view. The heroine,who is a confirmed spinster aged 25 years,is one of the founders of a society that supports the lower class and poor. While they offer charity and succor to the poor, she actually questions the members of Parliment who try to write and pass bills that will keep the lower class downtrodden, not to mention the lack of women's rights. The heroine makes men cry. The hero is a childhood friend. He had defended her against a bully and spent one night looking at the constellations and telling her the stories of the stars. Nevermind that she describes him as an 'Adonis' as a child who grew up to be 'Apollo' with golden beauty no man should have. Yeah. She, on the other hand, is tall, but not bounteous, red-headed and no man wants her. The hero doesn't meet up with her at an inn where he caused her to be in a horrible carriage accident. And he doesn't do all that he can to help her. Needless to say the hero is a gentleman and the heroine refuses his attempts at courting. This was such a funny romance. I laughed out loud and my family looked at me like I was crazy. I couldn't believe how fast and smooth this book was to read, with one scene flowing into the next with no stops. The characters were all supporting the cast and made sense in the book. I liked that so much of the story was written in the hero's mind, as he corrected himself. He had such likely ideas and she helped him become the man she expected him to grow up to be. What a great book! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

I loved this story. Though I recommend reading the previous book in the series, this story can be read as a stand alone. After reading the previous book, I wasn't sure how Ashmont could be redeemed but I'm happy to say that I was convinced. Cassandra was a strong heroine who wouldn't accept less than she deserved.