ARC Review: Stealing the Duke (Marrying a Mabry #1) by Lexi Post
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Series: Marrying a Mabry #1
Author: Lexi Post
Published March 16th 2023 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Goodreads Synopsis
Can she convince the duke a woman has a brain?
Lady Joanna Mabry has many flaws, one is her penchant for stealing books from her peers’ homes. Since she returns them, usually to the same house, she feels it’s a harmless flaw until she’s almost caught by James Huntington, the Duke of Northwick. His outspoken views on a proper woman’s education have left her bristling. So in this case, she’s pleased to have taken his book on what is sure to be an antiquated view of the female species.
James dismisses Lady Joanna’s odd behavior until he discovers his book on “feminine education” is missing. Guessing she has it, he’s highly amused since the cover concealed the real title, The Illustrated Pleasures of Seduction. He soon finds himself putting off his proposal to another woman as he attempts to trap Joanna into revealing her theft. He enjoys countering her energetic arguments for women’s equal education, while he insinuates that what women should be most concerned with is the bedroom.
Before long, the pictures in Northwick’s book, his quiet hints, and his tantalizing touches begin to leave Joanna breathless. Worse, their debates bring her to a state of excitement she’s known with no other. How can such a closed-minded man be so tempting?
But with a spurned woman lurking in the background, Joanna must make the decision whether to let the duke wallow in a bed of his own making, or acknowledge the feelings that have grown between them…neither of which she’s willing to do.
Goodreads
Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.
Although she knows it's wrong, Lady Joanna Mabry can't help but steal books from the homes of noblemen. And the Duke of Northwick's outspoken views on women's education makes him the perfect target, particularly when the book in question is one ostensibly on "feminine education". But the book is of an erotic nature, and she can't now control her behaviour around the duke. James knows Joanna has the book, and wants her to admit it, but the longer they dance around each other, the more their attraction turns from lust to love.
I wanted to like this book, but I really disliked both of the main characters. Yes, they had a great chemistry, and were suited to each other, but that wasn't always a good thing. They were brash, and argumentative, and very hard headed. The angst between the couple, and even the way they came back together wasn't executed well, and dragged out the book too much. I've got copies of the other books in the series, so I'll read them, but only to clear my NG backlog, not because I'm looking forward to them.
Dates Read:
September 20-23, 2023
Rating
2 Stars
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