Rating: 
Summary: I really wanted to like this one, but...
Review: Let me start off by saying that I really wanted to like this book. It has an original and interesting premise. Adrian St. Ledger, the duke of Trent has been asked to investigate the death of Mr. Burwell, an English traitor working for the French. He was killed shortly after leaving the establishment of Mrs. Emmaline Stanhope, presently working as a marriage broker but known to dabble in fortune telling. Adrian visits Emmaline and acts as if he is need of a wife. Unfortunately, his crass and unsophisticated social skills show themselves and Emmaline knows this is going to be no easy task. She insists upon lessons in gentlemanly conduct to soften his demeanor and make him more marriageable. While I know you can't help who you fall in love with, Adrian really doesn't show any redeeming qualities. I couldn't figure out what Emmaline saw in him. I'd think that to qualify to be a hero in a romance Adrian would at least have to be, well, likeable. This guy wasn't. Of course a man is only as good as the woman behind him and Emmaline has issues also. She is constantly whining about Adrian lying to her when she is living a lie(she tells all her clients she's a widow to keep them at bay-she's really an innocent). Also when Adrian talks to her in his scornful manner, she lets him! At one point before some hanky panky he says "come the hell here". She does! Adrian keeps stating that he has to have her. He wants to make her his mistress and wonders what the going rate is. Oh my, what a romantic fool! Then when the tables finally turn and Adrian for whatever reason starts to resemble a man a love, it's Emmaline who turns mean spirited and throws his words back at him. The rest of the plot, as to how they go about finding out who killed the traitor, is implausible and outlandish. Actually, the best part of the book was the secondary romance between Emmaline's Aunt Heloise and Adrian's man of affairs Mr. Gibbons. They were two mature characters who were meddlesome in a fun way, and in a healthy romance! As a matter of fact, I believe if the story were told from their point of view it might of worked! They knew how to have a good time. Pass this one up.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting premise that never quite hits the mark
Review: Never Kiss a Duke had a promising premise. Emmaline Stanhope is a marriage broker who must find Adrian St. Ledger a bride. Adrian is not really looking for a bride but is investing allegations that Emmaline could be involved in treasonous activities. For her part, Emmaline believes Adrian to be a rich merchant and not the Duke he really is. She also believes him to be the worst husband material she's come across and decides she is going to personally help him become more suitable. My main problem with this book is that I didn't like the hero...this is a big problem. There was nothing hero-like in his bahvior and in the off handed and mean manner in which he treats the heroine. I also never felt that the hero and heroine ever came to like or respect each other, their romance was just not believable. The suspense portion, on the back burner for most of the book was hardly satisfying. Emmaline's aunt and Adrian's valet though were great secondary characters and I found myself more interested in their story than Emmaline's and Adrian's.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost...but not quite
Review: The book's plot had a lot of potential. The main male, Adrian, however, never really developed in the book. He was a very flat, two-dimensional character. Despite the "tension" between the two main characters, there wasn't a true spark and it left me feeling uninspired.
Rating: 
Summary: A quick, enjoyable read
Review: The main reason I enjoyed this book was the Duke. He made me laugh. It was nice to read about a hero who had a few flaws. Yes, the heroine was a little flakey, but all the characters were, and they were likable too. It's nice to be able to find a book that leaves you with a smile when you're done.
Rating:
Summary: A quick, enjoyable read
Review: The main reason I enjoyed this book was the Duke. He made me laugh. It was nice to read about a hero who had a few flaws. Yes, the heroine was a little flakey, but all the characters were, and they were likable too. It's nice to be able to find a book that leaves you with a smile when you're done.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable - 3.5 Stars
Review: This is a fun read, because the writer brings in mesmerism, tarot, and a few eccentricities that were popular in the Regency period, but I found myself liking the auxillary characters more than I did the hero. He shows flashes of being interesting, but I didn't think he was as well-developed, nor as dashing, as he could have been. While he had an edge to his personality, it was more mean-spirited than dark and dangerous. As to the heroine, I worry about a woman who finds meanness and boorishness attractive. However, the humor and an entertaining plot make this a worthwhile purchase, and the aunt and butler are both gems.
Rating:
Summary: I highly recommend this book
Review: This is truly a wonderful book. In my opinion it is Ms. Putman's best work to date. It has been a while since I have bought a book that I enjoyed as much as this one. It held me captivated from the beginning to end. Adrian and Emmaline are truly wonderful characters who deserved to find true love and with no one but each other. One thing that I loved about these characters is that when they first meet, they are not attracted to each other, but it grows and is developed gradually. Also, the secondary characters are wonderful. Especailly Emmaline's aunt. I don't think anyone who buys this book will be disappointed.
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