Review: The Duchess And The Wolf by Lydia Drake

 

Susannah Fletcher has everything a young lady could wealth, the attentions of well-to-do duke, and a reputation as spotless as an angel’s petticoats. Yet, she would throw it all away for one opportunity to perform her music on stage–scandalous as that may be. Which is precisely when the rich and menacing “Wolf of Mayfair” makes her an offer she couldn’t possibly refuse…

Born on the streets of London, Rafe Winters knows only ruthless ambition. But he’s missing one respectability. It’s within reach… if he can draw the polished aristocrats to his establishment with a classically trained musician, and just a soupçon of mystery—like the flame-haired Susannah. Of course, he’ll have to make it worth her while. After all, he’s not a complete beast.

Now Susannah performs in a red cloak as the enigmatic “Red Duchess,” and all of London is entranced—along with Rafe. He promised her he’d do everything to protect her reputation on stage. But off-stage, the wolf is waiting for Susannah to stray from the path and into his arms. No matter the risk…

My Review

The Duchess and the Wolf by Lydia Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was different and fun. This time it's not about the duke getting the girl or the girl wanting the duke. The lady falls for the gruff businessman who has fought to get where he is. I like grumpy book boyfriends so it was easy to like Rafe. Susannah was easy to like as well. I found the book a little slow as it neared the middle but quickly picked up after their first time together.

While attending a ball with her friend, Susannah Fletcher meets Rafe Winters, the owner of the Wolf's Den, Mayfair's most notorious club, when he catches her playing the pianoforte. He's not too happy to find her on his stage but he decides to seize the opportunity and asks her to perform at his club for a month.

She refuses the offer at first but the offer of five thousand pounds means she could secure her independence. So they come up with a compromise, she can perform under an alias and masked. Rafe knows Susannah is too good for him but that doesn't seem to stop him from wanting her.

Susannah gets to see a different side of Rafe which leaves her wanting to spend more time with him. And with one kiss she is ready to risk it all for him.

Thank you so much to the author and Entangled Publishing for this ARC to review.

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