Bringing down the duke

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“Dunmore is my new find in historical romance. Her A League of Extraordinary Women series is extraordinary.”—Julia Quinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author“This series balances friendship, politics, history, and romance in just the right mix.”—U.S. Representative Katie PorterA stunning debut for author Evie Dunmore and her Oxford suffragists in which a fiercely independent vicar's daughter takes on a powerful duke in a fiery love story that threatens to upend the British social order. England, 1879. Annabelle Archer, the brilliant but destitute daughter of a country vicar, has earned herself a place among the first cohort of female students at the renowned University of Oxford. In return for her scholarship, she must support the rising women's suffrage movement. Her charge: recruit men of influence to champion their cause. Her target: Sebastian Devereux, the cold and calculating Duke of Montgomery who steers Britain's politics at the Queen's command. Her challenge: not to give in to the powerful attraction she can't deny for the man who opposes everything she stands for. Sebastian is appalled to find a suffragist squad has infiltrated his ducal home, but the real threat is his impossible feelings for green-eyed beauty Annabelle. He is looking for a wife of equal standing to secure the legacy he has worked so hard to rebuild, not an outspoken commoner who could never be his duchess. But he wouldn't be the greatest strategist of the Kingdom if he couldn't claim this alluring bluestocking without the promise of a ring...or could he? Locked in a battle with rising passion and a will matching her own, Annabelle will learn just what it takes to topple a duke....“With her sterling debut, Evie Dunmore dives into a fresh new space in historical romance that hits all the right notes.”Entertainment Weekly“There is nothing quite so satisfying as seeing such a man brought to his knees by a beautiful woman with nothing to her name except an inviolable sense of her own self-worth.”NPR

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ISBN
9781984805683
9780593151266
9781984805690
9781432875183

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Also in this Series

  • Bringing down the duke (League of extraordinary women novels Volume 1) Cover
  • A rogue of one's own (League of extraordinary women novels Volume 2) Cover
  • Portrait of a Scotsman: the league of extraordinary women series (League of extraordinary women novels Volume 3) Cover
  • The gentleman's gambit (League of extraordinary women novels Volume 4) Cover

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Though Girl Meets Duke is set in the Regency period and League of Extraordinary Women takes place during the Victorian era, both of these historical romance series star career-oriented heroines who match wits with powerful men. -- Halle Carlson
Readers looking for romance set during the Victorian era will appreciate these engaging, witty series about women who find love while pursuing scientific careers (Secret Scientists) or fighting for women's suffrage (League). -- CJ Connor
Likeable, strong-willed, and ambitious American (Gilded) and British (League of Extraordinary Women) women who stand up for women's rights feature in these engaging and steamy Victorian romances as they team up and fall for appealing men who support them. -- Andrienne Cruz
The Regency Vows and League of Extraordinary Women series are historical romances with a decidedly modern flavor. The novels star strong, independent women who trade witty banter and smoldering encounters with worthy heroes. -- Halle Carlson
These Victorian romance novels feature familiar romance tropes, steamy scenarios, and engaging plots with feminist themes led by progressive and multifaceted female leads. -- Andrienne Cruz
These series have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subject "sexual attraction."
These series have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subject "sexual attraction."
These series have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "independence" and "young women."
These series have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "sexual attraction," "dukes and duchesses," and "aristocracy."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
NoveList recommends "Regency vows" for fans of "League of extraordinary women novels". Check out the first book in the series.
Although Bringing Down the Duke centers on suffragists and A Lady's Formula for Love features scientists, both Victorian romances star strong female intellectuals falling for someone from a different social class. -- Meagan Day
Strong-willed, working class characters meet their matches in aristocrats with hidden depths in these engaging, banter-filled historical romances set in England. Both enrich their romantic storylines with political issues - the class system in Queer, women's suffrage in Bringing. -- Andrea Gough
Ambitious women meet their matches in these enemies-to-lovers historical romances about a suffragette in Victorian England (Bringing Down the Duke) and an aspiring writer in Regency England (Much Ado About Margaret). -- Laura Szaro Kopinski
In these enemies to lovers romance series openers, an ambitious Oxford student (Bringing Down the Duke) and professor (Ornithologist's Field Guide) fight to secure their position in Victorian society while crossing paths with a handsome man who seems determined to thwart them. -- Kaitlin Conner
NoveList recommends "Gilded Age heiresses" for fans of "League of extraordinary women novels". Check out the first book in the series.
NoveList recommends "Taming of the dukes" for fans of "League of extraordinary women novels". Check out the first book in the series.
Duke gone rogue - Carlyle, Christy
In these historical romance series starters set in Victorian England, sparks fly between a strong female character and a duke. -- Laura Szaro Kopinski
Fans of Masterpiece Theater will enjoy these historical romances set in Victorian England. Elizabeth and Fletcher (Lady) go head-to-head over writing; Annabelle and Sebastian Duke it out over politics and women's rights. -- Bethany Dietrich
Thrown together at a house party, the reserved hero and spirited heroine match wits and find themselves irresistibly drawn together, despite their many differences, in these engaging historical romances. Dangerous is a regency romance while Duke takes place in the Victorian Era. -- Halle Carlson
Both of these historical romances feature strong female protagonists in Victorian settings searching for independence who find romance with unexpected allies. Romantic storylines are well balanced with plots about the fight against injustice. -- Tirzah Price
Smart, independent heroines entice brooding, powerful men to help them in their endeavors (finding homes for helpless animals in Wallflower; overthrowing The Married Women's Property Act in Duke). Despite class differences, the pair find themselves passionately drawn towards each other. -- Halle Carlson

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Evie Dunmore and Martha Waters write funny historical romances with a decidedly modern sensibility. Their independent, determined heroines match wits with equally resolute heroes and sparks fly as they spar. Evie Dunmore's novels are set in the Victorian era, while Martha Waters' take place in the Regency era. -- Halle Carlson
Though they write about different time periods (Regency for Dare; Victorian for Dunmore) both historical romance authors write steamy, witty historical romances starring strong, independent women and the men who can't resist them. -- Halle Carlson
These authors' works have the genres "historical romances" and "regency romances"; and the subjects "dukes and duchesses," "independence," and "determination."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "dukes and duchesses," "gender role," and "aristocracy."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "independence," "gender role," and "london, england history."
These authors' works have the genres "historical romances" and "regency romances"; the subjects "dukes and duchesses," "sexual attraction," and "poor women"; and characters that are "likeable characters" and "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the subjects "independence," "sexual attraction," and "gender role."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "dukes and duchesses," "independence," and "young women."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "dukes and duchesses," "independence," and "nobility."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "dukes and duchesses," "interpersonal attraction," and "aristocracy."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "independence," "sexual attraction," and "poor women."
These authors' works have the genres "victorian romances" and "historical romances"; and the subjects "single women" and "english history."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Annabelle Archer has been admitted as one of Oxford's first female students, an opportunity she can only take advantage of due to her stipend, which requires her involvement in the suffrage movement. The Duke of Montgomery has been tasked by Queen Victoria to ensure a Tory victory in the upcoming election, but Annabelle's fellow activists want to convert him to their cause. She and her friends finagle a house-party invitation to lobby the Duke, but once at the party, Annabelle finds Montgomery to be much more than his icy exterior and aloof reputation seemed to indicate. Full of witty banter, rich historical detail, and a fantastic group of female friends, the first installment in Dunmore's League of Extraordinary Women series starts with fireworks as Annabelle and Montgomery try to find a path to happiness despite past mistakes and their vastly different places in society. Dunmore's strong debut is sure to earn her legions of fans.--Jennifer Rothschild Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

A bright, penniless suffragette in Victorian-era England melts the heart of a notoriously icy duke in this delightful romance. Annabelle Archer is granted a scholarship by the National Society for Women's Suffrage to become one of the first women to study at Oxford University. In exchange, she's required to publicly support their cause. When she brazenly offers a political pamphlet to the Duke of Montgomery, it is just the first of many times that she shocks him with her brains and courage. Montgomery is obsessed with getting back the castle his father gambled away and is willing to sell out his own ideals and work with the Tory Party if it will get the queen to grant his request. He is entirely unprepared for a beautiful, radical woman to derail his mission. But when Annabelle finds herself ill and snowed in at Montgomery's home, the pair discover they are more compatible--politically, emotionally, and physically--than either would have believed. Despite their mounting passion, their disparate circumstances make a relationship impossible, but they set out to find a way to make it work. Charming, sexy, and thoroughly transportive, this is historical romance done right. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)

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Library Journal Review

DEBUT In Victorian England, Annabelle Archer cooks and cleans for her cousin Gilbert's family. Given the chance to study at the new women's school in Oxford, she pursues a scholarship from a women's suffrage group. The terms of the award include participating in marches, handing out pamphlets, and petitioning men in power to change the Married Women's Property Act. One of the men she attempts to sway is the cold and formidable Duke of Montgomery, Sebastian Devereux, who is working hard to remain in the good graces of Queen Victoria in order to restore his family's legacy and reclaim his ancestral home. Both Sebastian and Annabelle are determined to get what they want, and their plights collide when Annabelle manages to get herself and her suffragette friends invited to the duke's house for a holiday party. VERDICT Dunmore's debut is chock-full of verve, history, and passion, introducing a heroine who knows her worth and is determined not to be held back by her past. This series opener provides many opportunities for future installments, which will comfort readers as they reach the enthralling denouement.--Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

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Kirkus Book Review

When an intelligent but impoverished woman is accepted into Oxford's first class of female students, she must juggle a spectrum of challenges, but nothing prepares her for the attractive and intimidating Duke of Montgomery."Of all the types of men she had learned to manage, the ignorant yet self-important' type was not exactly the most challenging. Then again, when her very fate lay in the hands of such a man, it added insult to injury." When Annabelle Archer wins a scholarship to Oxford from the National Society for Women's Suffrage, she first must convince her dullard, self-righteous cousin to allow her to go. She lets him believe the stipend came from the school, since he'd never agree if he knew the real source: "It was a safe guess that on the list of moral outrages, votes for women would rank only marginally below scandals of passion in Gilbert's book." After reaching the school, beautiful, overeducated Annabelle is asked to help the Society convince gentlemen of influence to overthrow The Married Women's Property Act. The first man Annabelle approaches is the Duke of Montgomery, arguably the most influential man in England, who is at the beginning of what everyone expects will be an illustrious political career. The two notice each other, and as their paths cross again and again, their stories become more and more entwined, tightened by their attraction and shared experiences, yet thwarted by their respective places in society as well as conflicting goals. Dunmore's beautifully written debut perfectly balances history, sexual tension, romantic yearning, and the constant struggle smart women have in finding and maintaining their places and voices in life and love, with the added message that finding the right person brings true happiness and being with them is worth any price.A brilliant debut. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

Annabelle Archer has been admitted as one of Oxford's first female students, an opportunity she can only take advantage of due to her stipend, which requires her involvement in the suffrage movement. The Duke of Montgomery has been tasked by Queen Victoria to ensure a Tory victory in the upcoming election, but Annabelle's fellow activists want to convert him to their cause. She and her friends finagle a house-party invitation to lobby the Duke, but once at the party, Annabelle finds Montgomery to be much more than his icy exterior and aloof reputation seemed to indicate. Full of witty banter, rich historical detail, and a fantastic group of female friends, the first installment in Dunmore's League of Extraordinary Women series starts with fireworks as Annabelle and Montgomery try to find a path to happiness despite past mistakes and their vastly different places in society. Dunmore's strong debut is sure to earn her legions of fans. Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2019 Booklist Reviews.
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Library Journal Reviews

DEBUT In Victorian England, Annabelle Archer cooks and cleans for her cousin Gilbert's family. Given the chance to study at the new women's school in Oxford, she pursues a scholarship from a women's suffrage group. The terms of the award include participating in marches, handing out pamphlets, and petitioning men in power to change the Married Women's Property Act. One of the men she attempts to sway is the cold and formidable Duke of Montgomery, Sebastian Devereux, who is working hard to remain in the good graces of Queen Victoria in order to restore his family's legacy and reclaim his ancestral home. Both Sebastian and Annabelle are determined to get what they want, and their plights collide when Annabelle manages to get herself and her suffragette friends invited to the duke's house for a holiday party. VERDICT Dunmore's debut is chock-full of verve, history, and passion, introducing a heroine who knows her worth and is determined not to be held back by her past. This series opener provides many opportunities for future installments, which will comfort readers as they reach the enthralling denouement.—Kellie Tilton, Univ. of Cincinnati Blue Ash

Copyright 2019 Library Journal.

Copyright 2019 Library Journal.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

A bright, penniless suffragette in Victorian-era England melts the heart of a notoriously icy duke in this delightful romance. Annabelle Archer is granted a scholarship by the National Society for Women's Suffrage to become one of the first women to study at Oxford University. In exchange, she's required to publicly support their cause. When she brazenly offers a political pamphlet to the Duke of Montgomery, it is just the first of many times that she shocks him with her brains and courage. Montgomery is obsessed with getting back the castle his father gambled away and is willing to sell out his own ideals and work with the Tory Party if it will get the queen to grant his request. He is entirely unprepared for a beautiful, radical woman to derail his mission. But when Annabelle finds herself ill and snowed in at Montgomery's home, the pair discover they are more compatible—politically, emotionally, and physically—than either would have believed. Despite their mounting passion, their disparate circumstances make a relationship impossible, but they set out to find a way to make it work. Charming, sexy, and thoroughly transportive, this is historical romance done right. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly.

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly.
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