They are the Duke’s Men - an investigative agency born out of family pride and irresistible passion…The heir presumptive to the Viscount Rathmoor, Dominick Manton once had his heart’s desire within reach - a bright future as a barrister and engagement to Jane Vernon, a wealthy baron’s daughter. Then a shattering betrayal by his vindictive brother George snatches away Dom’s inheritance and his hopes of offering Jane a secure future. Brokenhearted, and attempting to end their engagement without destroying Jane’s reputation, Dom stages a betrayal of his own to convince her that he’s not the husband-to-be that she thought.
Now George is gone and the viscountcy restored to Dom, since his brother’s widow, Nancy - Jane’s cousin and closest confidant - never bore an heir. But when Nancy goes missing, a panicked Jane calls on her former fiancé to track down her cousin. Dom knows the mistakes of the past may be unforgivable, but now, entangled together in mystery and danger, will they rekindle a passionate longing that was never lost to begin with?
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Ah, my not so illicit love affair with Sabrina Jeffries continues with the last book in the Duke’s Men series.
I was equal parts sad and happy for the end of this particular series. Sad because, well, who wants to be told that we will see no more of all the dreamy Duke’s Men and their lovely ladies? Yet happy because this means the 1) Dom will meet his match and 2) there’ll be a new series very soon! Woop!
Anyway, if you’ve never read any of the other Duke’s Men books, I would recommend you go back and read them before tackling this book. I’m sure it’s not necessarily essential but it does give you a background to the relationship between Dom and Jane, as well as introducing you to all the supporting characters in this tale. (Plus, if you don’t read the first books, you’re missing out on all the romancey, tummy flipping goodness of Sabrina Jeffries!)
We already know that Dom is an arrogant, methodical man who likes to be in control. It’s the addition of Jane - and the feelings she provokes in Dom - that really makes this a worthwhile read. I do so like it when a hero gets put through the ringer by the heroine and Jane certainly does that to Dom. There are so many feelings, history and angst between the couple that not only do you root for them every step of the way, you keep on reading in the hopes they’ll get their happily ever after sooner rather than later.
The book is fast paced - lots of things going on and lots of story to get your teeth into - and is rich with all the historical detail that I’ve come to expect from Sabrina Jeffries. Not only that but there’s the smouldering tension and sensuality (i.e. smooching and rumpy pumpy) that I just adore with Sabrina Jeffries books. It makes my heart happy!
Even though I didn’t agree with Dom, I felt that both he and Jane had very real reasons for acting the way they did - both when they broke off their engagement and when the book was set. It was all very realistic and that made for in-depth emotions and conflict.
I also really loved the way that Dom interacted with both Tristan and Lisette. In previous books I’ve felt that there was a barrier between Dom and his half-siblings but seeing them all together in this last book was really lovely and gave a wonderful insight into their lives growing up.
All in all, this is a fantastic end to the Duke’s Men series and a book I would highly recommend. I’ve been waiting a long time for Dom and Jane to get another chance at love and it was well worth the wait. If you’ve not read the rest of the series then still buy this book, just buy (and read) all the others first. I'm hoping that we'll see some of the other characters in this book very soon...
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401 pages
Series in order:
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