The Duke Starts a Scandal
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Susanna Lockhart should have known her employer, the duke of Penning, was an imposter; he was far too nice to be a duke. Now Lucian, the rightful duke of Penning, has arrived at Penning Hall, and there is no question in Susanna's mind that Lucian is the real deal, given the lordly manner in which he comports himself as well as the many ways he reminds Susanna that her future employment depends on her catering to his every whim. Of course, Susanna loves--and more importantly needs--her job at Penning Hall, but the real question is just how far will she go to keep it? Jordan (The Scandalous Ladies of London, 2023) wraps up her Duke Hunt series with another Regency-set romantic confection that successfully mines her literary talents for combining fetching characters and fanciful plotting with an abundance of sizzling sensuality.

Scandalous pasts and forbidden love collide in the final installment of the "Duke Hunt" series, after The Scoundrel Falls Hard. Susanna Lockhart has been the housekeeper at Penning Hall for 11 years. When the new duke, Lucian, arrives, she is put to the test and her job is in danger. While still attempting to keep her past hidden and avoid her feelings for Lucian, Susanna is determined to change his mind about sacking her. Lucian wants to establish a respectable life for himself and his family, away from his checkered past. He's on the hunt for a duchess but only has eyes for Susanna, the one woman he cannot marry. The story and characters develop quickly, keeping readers engaged as tension is built between the characters, whom Jordan crafts to fit the romance mold but to have unique, dynamic backstories that create intrigue and add depth to the novel. VERDICT For fans of the series, this book is a stunning finale and perfect for readers looking for a steamy novel. Those who enjoy alluring historical romances won't be disappointed.--Jenn Laskosky

A duke with a secret past meets a housekeeper with a secret past. From the beginning, they both know better than to be attracted to each other. Susanna Lockhart has been the housekeeper to the Duke of Penning for years, quite an honor at the young age of 28. A woman of "humble roots and precarious background," she's unable to return home due to one reckless mistake in her youth, so she's been content to busy herself with a life of proper work. Until now. Lucian, the unexpected new Duke of Penning, is a bit harder to ignore than the previous duke--he's both more attractive, and more arrogant, despite having come from an impoverished background. Like Susanna, he's also trying to stay focused, on two things in particular: first, keeping hidden his past as a young man who "peddled his flesh for coin," and second, making good matches for his young sisters so that they can live comfortably. Both Susanna and Lucian require nothing less than perfection to make good on their second chances at respectability, and they have it. That changes when the duke's valet is put temporarily out of commission, Susanna needs to attend to the duke in his stead, and their carefully tended boundaries start to collapse. Before long, their chemistry is evident to everyone around them, but it takes several twists of fate for them to overcome their fears of a scandal and be together. The final entry in Jordan's Duke Hunt quartet is just about as steamy as the earlier volumes, and adds a new twist by introducing both a heroine and a hero who fear ruination. Unfortunately, though it's an intriguing concept and there are some potentially interesting side plots, the story remains largely superficial and doesn't engage with the characters as deeply as it could have. Jordan's fans will find plenty to appreciate, though, and it's still an enjoyable, albeit somewhat uneven, Regency. A slow build of a historical romance that ignites but doesn't fully burn. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Susanna Lockhart should have known her employer, the duke of Penning, was an imposter; he was far too nice to be a duke. Now Lucian, the rightful duke of Penning, has arrived at Penning Hall, and there is no question in Susanna's mind that Lucian is the real deal, given the lordly manner in which he comports himself as well as the many ways he reminds Susanna that her future employment depends on her catering to his every whim. Of course, Susanna loves—and more importantly needs—her job at Penning Hall, but the real question is just how far will she go to keep it? Jordan (The Scandalous Ladies of London, 2023) wraps up her Duke Hunt series with another Regency-set romantic confection that successfully mines her literary talents for combining fetching characters and fanciful plotting with an abundance of sizzling sensuality. Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

Scandalous pasts and forbidden love collide in the final installment of the "Duke Hunt" series, after The Scoundrel Falls Hard. Susanna Lockhart has been the housekeeper at Penning Hall for 11 years. When the new duke, Lucian, arrives, she is put to the test and her job is in danger. While still attempting to keep her past hidden and avoid her feelings for Lucian, Susanna is determined to change his mind about sacking her. Lucian wants to establish a respectable life for himself and his family, away from his checkered past. He's on the hunt for a duchess but only has eyes for Susanna, the one woman he cannot marry. The story and characters develop quickly, keeping readers engaged as tension is built between the characters, whom Jordan crafts to fit the romance mold but to have unique, dynamic backstories that create intrigue and add depth to the novel. VERDICT For fans of the series, this book is a stunning finale and perfect for readers looking for a steamy novel. Those who enjoy alluring historical romances won't be disappointed.—Jenn Laskosky