Reviews

How the Duke Was Won by Lenora Bell

mariannenguyen's review against another edition

4.0

A light read that will deliver all the "fluffy" feelings craved in a historical romance.

bookishnerdyandcurious's review against another edition

4.0

I read my first Lenora Bell book earlier this year and I immediately added her to my author TBR list. (Doesn't everyone have a book TBR and an author TBR?) Our heroine is hired by a woman to pretend to be her daughter because she is almost the spitting image of her... because they are half-sisters. Why? Her daughter is out of the country and cannot afford to miss an opportunity for an intimate house party given by an unwed Duke. She needs the money to help her ailing mother and to get her little sister established, so she accepts though is dubious. Our Duke is just trying to be as outrageous as possible as he wishes his marriage to be a business transaction: no lust and definitely no love. Yet, when these two are thrown together, they really can't deny their feelings, though what will happen when the switch happens and all comes to light? Jeez, I did not expect to cry with this one and I was practically sobbing in the last 30%. Lenora Bell knows how to tug at your heartstrings - or at least mine. I already have the next one downloaded on the Kindle!

saynabreadsbooks's review against another edition

5.0

A marvellous debut

OUTSTANDING

I loved the characters in this book
the dialogue, the witty banter it was just awesome

James and Charlene are fascinating characters

Alice was my favorite, I’d love to see story

dianed's review against another edition

5.0

Lenora Bell does an amazing job of telling the story of a Disgraceful Duke who is looking for a suitable proper bride but instead falls in love with her almost identical illegitimate sister. The story is sweeter than the cocoa the Duke is making in his manufactory. While James, the Duke, is initially looking for a wife he can impregnate and leave in England while he returns to the Carribean, his plans begin to change when he meets Lady Dorothea (aka Charlene). The more they are together the more they begin to fall in love. Unfortunately, Charlene knows that he is destine to marry Dorothea and not Charlene.
Just like chocolate, this story is a bit bittersweet when Charlene must let go of the man she loves so he can marry her half-sister - all the while knowing that he doesn't realize there are 2 of them. The parting makes the coming together all the more wonderful.

canderson1876's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

jbruno87's review against another edition

3.0

3.25

illusie's review against another edition

4.0

I enjoyed this book. It's about Charlene who has to pose as her half-sister and try to win the Duke. This story is very funny. Charlene is a strong, kind and funny young woman. I really enjoyed this book and laughed out loud several times.

bookfortbuilder's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.75

jody_diou's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 1/2 sister paid to woo the Duke 4 sister. 

somasunshine's review against another edition

4.0

Very cute. I liked that our hero has a mixed daughter! POC are so rarely mentioned in historical romance and I loved it! I liked the whole book really. I liked that Dorothea wanted to help her sister and do what's best for her even though they barely knew each other.
The onyl reason I won't continue this series is because the next book is about Dorothea and the duke's bestie and it makes me uncomfortable when friends date siblings that basically look identical.