To Love a Scandalous Duke by Lianna De la Rosa

Title: To Love a Scandalous Duke
Author: Liana De la Rosa
Publication: September 25th 2017 by Entangled Publishing, LLC
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Driven into exile years earlier, due to family scandal, Declan Sinclair is called home, devastated to discover his brother has been murdered and he’s the new Duke of Darington. When clues point to the man he blames for both his exile and his brother’s death, Declan resolves to ruin the culprit. If only the daughter of the man’s business partner, lovely Lady Alethea Swinton, didn’t tempt his resolve.

Lady Alethea Swinton has cultivated her pristine reputation in the hopes of winning her father’s praise. When her childhood friend returns, Alethea finds she’s willing to court scandal and defy her father to help the handsome Declan uncover the truth behind his brother’s death. Until she realizes Declan’s redemption will mean her family’s ruin.
I love regency romance and whenever I’m feeling in a slump it’s one of the first things I pick up to clear my head. I always look for one that has a strong female lead and I felt To Love a Scandalous Duke fit that perfectly.

I loved Alethea. She is kind, witty and resourceful. She hasn’t seen Declan since they were children and his family was upturned by scandal that her family was an instrumental part in. Despite this, she doesn’t even think twice about wanting to help him and despite her father’s stern warnings, is not afraid to be around him. She has a big heart and loves that to teach children and offer charity. She feels confined by the fact that she is a woman and expected to fill a role. Avoiding marriage due to the fact that she wants someone who is willing to let her be more than a pretty decoration. She also has a twin, Finlay, and it’s fun to see her exchanges with him as well. You can tell that he cares and appreciates her for who she is.

I also loved Declan! He’s someone who was sent away due to the family scandal but managed to make a name for himself anyway. Away from the dukedom. I love that he is confident in himself and who he has. He also has a deep love of his family, it didn’t matter if they are near or far, dead or alive. He doesn’t care what people think of him.

Declan and Alethea together are a perfect matching. I love their witty exchanges and banter. Declan also seems to cherish Alethea’s fiery spirit.

This was the perfect blend of romance and mystery. I really enjoyed the story and it was a pick me up I definitely needed. I would love to read another novel featuring Alethea’s best friend.