Danielle G. (iqb2001) reviewed How to Dance With a Duke (Ugly Ducklings, Bk 1) on + 87 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Oh how I loved this book. I'll admit that when I first saw the cover for this book a few months ago this book was instantly added to my wish list. I mean c'mon look at that gorgeous cover! But this book was so much more than a pretty cover. Inside packs a great story of love and mystery that had me quickly turning the pages just to see how everything was going to turn out.
From the first page I instantly felt a connection with heroine Cecily Hurston. Cecily isn't some debutante that is only concerned with balls and gowns, she is clever and smart. She isn't afraid to speak her mind and I found that refreshing. When Cecily's father comes back from a trip from Egypt sick and not of a sound mind and is currently being blamed for the disappearance of Will Dalton, she knows the truth lies within her fathers journals from his trip. The only problem is that they are locked away inside the Egyptian Club and the only way she can gain entrance is by marrying one of its members. So Cecily formulates a plan to marry one of the members in order to gain admittance so she can clear her fathers name.
Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson is doing everything in his power to try to find out just exactly what happened to his brother on his last expedition to Egypt. He knows that rumors are going around that Lord Hurston is responsible for his disappearance but he isn't exactly sure that that is the truth. He wants to question Lord Hurston when he stumbles across Cecily being denied entrance to the Egyptian Club. Lucas finds himself immediately attracted but knows that nothing can come from his attraction. Her father may be responsible for the disappearance of his brother and Lucas is definitely not looking for a wife. Though the two quickly spark up a deal that helps them both. Lucas will think of potential bachelors for Cecily to marry, while she helps him discover what happened to his brother.
When these two were together they seemed to only have eyes for one another and watching them both realize that their attraction was turning into more was great. There was one part when Lucas and Cecily were spying on the members of the Egyptian Club at a ball and Lucas is unconsciously rubbing Cecily's stomach while he holds her from behind that had me going crazy. It was the small things like that made me like Lucas so much more. His feelings for Cecily felt real and I loved watching him realize that she meant so much to him.
With Cecily her feelings for Lucas didn't come so easily for her. She is truly convinced that she isn't beautiful and because of a broken engagement from her past she is terrified to love again. Even though her feelings for Lucas are growing considerably, she is fighting tooth and nail to deny her love for him and she is constantly trying to keep Lucas at an arms length so her heart won't get broken. I loved watching her come to terms with both her feelings for Lucas, and the feelings he has for her.
I honestly loved these two as a couple and I found that even with the mystery going on throughout the book that their story still remained the main focus of the story. Seriously, these two sizzled. I loved the world that author Manda Collins has created and I truly look forward to reading more from her in the future. She has created a great cast of characters and I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest in future books.
Oh how I loved this book. I'll admit that when I first saw the cover for this book a few months ago this book was instantly added to my wish list. I mean c'mon look at that gorgeous cover! But this book was so much more than a pretty cover. Inside packs a great story of love and mystery that had me quickly turning the pages just to see how everything was going to turn out.
From the first page I instantly felt a connection with heroine Cecily Hurston. Cecily isn't some debutante that is only concerned with balls and gowns, she is clever and smart. She isn't afraid to speak her mind and I found that refreshing. When Cecily's father comes back from a trip from Egypt sick and not of a sound mind and is currently being blamed for the disappearance of Will Dalton, she knows the truth lies within her fathers journals from his trip. The only problem is that they are locked away inside the Egyptian Club and the only way she can gain entrance is by marrying one of its members. So Cecily formulates a plan to marry one of the members in order to gain admittance so she can clear her fathers name.
Lucas Dalton, Duke of Winterson is doing everything in his power to try to find out just exactly what happened to his brother on his last expedition to Egypt. He knows that rumors are going around that Lord Hurston is responsible for his disappearance but he isn't exactly sure that that is the truth. He wants to question Lord Hurston when he stumbles across Cecily being denied entrance to the Egyptian Club. Lucas finds himself immediately attracted but knows that nothing can come from his attraction. Her father may be responsible for the disappearance of his brother and Lucas is definitely not looking for a wife. Though the two quickly spark up a deal that helps them both. Lucas will think of potential bachelors for Cecily to marry, while she helps him discover what happened to his brother.
When these two were together they seemed to only have eyes for one another and watching them both realize that their attraction was turning into more was great. There was one part when Lucas and Cecily were spying on the members of the Egyptian Club at a ball and Lucas is unconsciously rubbing Cecily's stomach while he holds her from behind that had me going crazy. It was the small things like that made me like Lucas so much more. His feelings for Cecily felt real and I loved watching him realize that she meant so much to him.
With Cecily her feelings for Lucas didn't come so easily for her. She is truly convinced that she isn't beautiful and because of a broken engagement from her past she is terrified to love again. Even though her feelings for Lucas are growing considerably, she is fighting tooth and nail to deny her love for him and she is constantly trying to keep Lucas at an arms length so her heart won't get broken. I loved watching her come to terms with both her feelings for Lucas, and the feelings he has for her.
I honestly loved these two as a couple and I found that even with the mystery going on throughout the book that their story still remained the main focus of the story. Seriously, these two sizzled. I loved the world that author Manda Collins has created and I truly look forward to reading more from her in the future. She has created a great cast of characters and I can't wait to see what's in store for the rest in future books.
Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed How to Dance With a Duke (Ugly Ducklings, Bk 1) on + 1113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The hero was great - strong, honorable, kind, and unwilling to give up on finding the truth about his brother's disappearance. The heroine was smart and spoke her mind, which I appreciated, but she was also afraid to let herself fall in love even AFTER she was married, which drove me crazy. The whole point of a romance is embracing the happily ever after, not hesitating in the face of it because he might leave! The quirky secondary characters, attempted murder action, and swirling mysteries of Egypt were enough to get me to try the rest of the series. I think I'll like the next heroine better than this one.
Jerelyn H. (I-F-Letty) -
Helpful Score: 1
How to Dance With a Duke by Manda Collins
Cecile Hurston is the bluestocking daughter of Lord Hurston, famous archeologist and explorer. Lucas Duke Winterston is the brother of Lord Hurstons secretary William, and there is a problem William is missing and Lord Hurston has had a stroke. This is what draws the H and H together. Where is Will and is Lord Hurston responsible for his disappearance and possible death? Where are the missing coded journals and the artifacts?
This had such promise and I am sorry that it didnt work for me. I wasnt bad, just a reheated story lacking in emotion and character development. This is a classic case of telling and not showing. Since there are 3 cousins it isnt a jump to say that there will be 2 books to follow. It is a good first effort and I wish Ms. Collins good luck. 2 stars
My thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my review copy.
Cecile Hurston is the bluestocking daughter of Lord Hurston, famous archeologist and explorer. Lucas Duke Winterston is the brother of Lord Hurstons secretary William, and there is a problem William is missing and Lord Hurston has had a stroke. This is what draws the H and H together. Where is Will and is Lord Hurston responsible for his disappearance and possible death? Where are the missing coded journals and the artifacts?
This had such promise and I am sorry that it didnt work for me. I wasnt bad, just a reheated story lacking in emotion and character development. This is a classic case of telling and not showing. Since there are 3 cousins it isnt a jump to say that there will be 2 books to follow. It is a good first effort and I wish Ms. Collins good luck. 2 stars
My thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for my review copy.
