The Viscount's Sinful Bargain
Series: The Dukes' Pact #1
Author: Kate Archer
Published June 9th 2020 by Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.

Goodreads Synopsis
#1 in The Dukes’ Pact Series—six dukes take dire steps to force their heirs to marry, while those heirs fight just as hard to remain bachelors. A sweet regency romance. Read for Free in Kindle Unlimited!

Lord Hampton cursed his luck. Six dukes were in league together to force their sons to marry, and one of them was his own father. The old men had drawn up a formal pact, with severe consequences to their heirs included. Edwin is determined to devise a way out of it; he has no intention of marrying any time soon. He’s also desperate to get his name off the ton’s lips. Mamas are circling like hunters round a wounded stag, and every pert little miss is fanning herself.

Cassandra Knightsbridge, only daughter of Viscount Trebly, has not had a very usual upbringing. She rides like the devil, leaving her groom far behind...if she bothered to take a groom at all. More alarming, there would be few gentlemen who could best her with a fowling piece. Of course, she knows those particular habits will not find approval in a London drawing room and ought not be mentioned. That is, until a condescending lord provokes her.

Might not a tale of a girl who shoots turn society’s attention away from the dukes’ pact? The whispers wind their way through drawing rooms, and the talk about Miss Knightsbridge blooms.

Edwin’s love for the lady blooms too, but now he’s made it impossible to win her.
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

After their father's get together and plot for their sons to marry, 6 Ducal heirs are at odds to stop themselves from being caught in marriage, and need to find something to stop people talking about them. In comes Miss Cassandra Knightsbridge, the only daughter of a Surrey Viscount, who has been allowed a lot of freedom in her youth, including riding alone on her estate, and shooting pheasant, is part way through her first season when she comes across Lord Edwin Hampton, and they get off to a rocky start. Annoyed and a bit embarrassed, Hampton decides that the group of six should find some dirt on Cassandra, and get it spread about the Ton. He soon feels guilty, though, especially as the more time he and Cassandra are together, and actually talk to each other, they find kindred spirits, and the sparks begin to fly. Both are well on their way to falling for one another, but the rumours and threat to her reputation is looming, and soon Cassandra finds herself heartbroken and betrayed. Can she find it in herself to forgive Hampton, and does he deserve her forgiveness?

The plot in this book was so good, and there were so many turns that I didn't see coming. A woman's reputation is everything in Regency Era society, and for Cassandra's to be questioned is neigh on the end of the world. But, she has strong and powerful friends and allies, and I adored the introduction of the Dowager Duchess of Carlisle. She was just perfect, and after being with her, Cassandra developed such a strong character - I loved it! Cassandra and Hampton together was everything you might want in a couple for this book, and their chemistry was wonderful. Starting off on the wrong foot, and then slowly building admiration and affection for each other, it was clear their feelings were genuine, but the expected angst caused them to be pushed apart, but the resolution was even better than I could've expected! I'm really intrigued on the other men in the Pact, especially Lockwood, who I hope gets with Sybil eventually. A really outstanding debut, from an author I'm looking forward to reading again.

Dates Read:
June 16-17, 2020

Rating
4 Stars