REVIEW: The Duke in my Bed by Amelia Grey

In The Duke in my Bed (The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #1) by Amelia Grey, Lord Bray Drakestone has reveled in his life as a man of freedom: free to drink, gamble, take any beautiful woman to bed he deems worthy, and travel about as he wishes. But a bet made after a night of drinking at the Heirs’ Club threatens to change his indulgent lifestyle. A promise to marry a friend’s sister hangs over Bray’s head until he finally gives in to do the right thing. But Miss Louisa Prim proves to be quite the challenge. And if there’s anything he loves, it is certainly to prove he can do the unthinkable.

‘Even scoundrels know how to behave properly, Miss Prim. They just seldom do.”

Louisa Prim has been watching over her four younger sisters since their father’s death. And she truly loves them dearly. She tries not to think about having missed her Season in London’s society or that her hopes of finding a suitable husband are dwindling. A tragic event pushes Lord Drakestone unexpectedly into Louisa’s life. She’s not interested in marrying the scoundrel considering the vicious rumors she’s heard about his behavior. She needs stability in her life, not a man who will never be home and will likely forget his vows. But Bray is a skilled charmer and soon Louisa begins to think with her heart, not her head.

“So if you want to marry, I suggest you find someone who is willing and command her to marry you, because I am not available.”

He leaned in close to her and softly said, “I hope that is not a challenge for me to persuade you differently, Miss Prim, because if it is, I’ll have to accept.”

The Duke in my Bed was an emotionally complex historical romance focusing on a roguish duke with a promise to fulfill, and a vicar’s daughter with four rambunctious sisters to raise.

I started off not sure if I would like Lord Bray Drakestone after the opening scene and what shortly followed after his wager with Miss Louisa Prim’s brother. However, I personally thought Bray was the strongest and most intriguing character in this story. Well, aside from Louisa’s hilarious sisters, of course. I loved that he had a lot of personal growth as he became a duke and tried to make good on his promise to marry her. I almost felt bad for Bray, considering the lack of love and attention he had growing up. But Louisa, and especially her sisters, helped show him what a family truly consists of. That was very heartwarming to witness.

Louisa, on the other hand, I started off liking her feisty and spirited disposition right away. But as the story went on, I felt like she was perhaps a bit harsh in her views of Bray and didn’t give him any leeway with his choices or emotions. I did like how she interacted with her sisters very much and thought she always had their best interest at heart. Louisa and Bray’s scenes were oftentimes comical while they bickered and tried to one-up the other. However, there were just as many wonderful scenes that were tender, sweet, and passionate. My favorite one was when she was playing a game with her sisters and he showed up unexpectedly. Very, very sexy and fun. *fans face*

If you enjoy historical romances with a solid plot and engaging characters, I would recommend this first book in The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels trilogy.

Book Info:

Published December 30th 2014 by St. Martin’s Paperbacks | (The Heirs’ Club of Scoundrels Trilogy #1)

From bestselling author Amelia Grey comes a wickedly romantic tale of one reckless bachelor, five unwed sisters, and a wildly unconventional game of love…

HERE COMES THE GROOM

As a notorious member of the Heirs’ Club, Bray Drakestone can’t resist a challenge from one of his well-heeled colleagues—especially when it involves money and horses. But the friendly wager takes an unexpected and deadly turn. Bray is forced to agree to marry one of his challenger’s five sisters—sight unseen. Now gamblers all over London are placing bets on whether Bray will actually go through with it…

THERE GOES THE BRIDE

Miss Louisa Prim, the eldest sister, doesn’t care a whit what the reckless rogue at the Heirs’ Club promised her brother—she has no intention of marrying the future Duke of Drakestone. Bray, however, sees her rejection as another challenge. He bets that the fiery Miss Prim will not only agree to marry him, she will propose to him! With four sisters behind her, Louisa knows she can’t lose. But why does her opponent have to be a divinely handsome scoundrel? And so sweetly, irresistibly seductive…