Megan Frampton

The author of the "sparkling" and "steamy" (Entertainment Weekly) Never Kiss a Duke returns with the delightful third book in the Hazards of Dukes series as a rigid duke meets his match in a rebellious lady. Thaddeus, the new Duke of Hasford, holds his new title reluctantly, but his sense of duty is strong. Task number one: find a wife and secure an heir. He thinks he's found the perfect choice in Lady Jane Capel--until her sister Lavinia bursts onto the scene. Vivacious, rebellious, and strikingly beautiful, Lavinia is determined to keep him away from her shy, sweet sister. And she's also determined not to think so much about his broad chest and strong thighs. When Lady Lavinia and Thaddeus end up in the most compromising position, witnessed by Lavinia's mother and nearly everyone at a party, they're forced to get married to protect their reputations. With no love between them, but with an heir to conceive, they strike a bargain in bed. Only Lavinia demands passion, and Thaddeus complies, with both of them realizing this marriage of convenience may turn into much more...

A Hazards of Dukes Novel

A Wicked Bargain for the Duke

The author of the “sparkling” and “steamy” (Entertainment Weekly) Never Kiss a Duke returns with the delightful third book in the Hazards of Dukes series as a rigid duke enters into marriage with a rebellious lady. Thaddeus, the new Duke of Hasford, holds his new title reluctantly, but his sense of duty is strong. Task number one: find a wife and secure an heir. He thinks he’s found the perfect choice in Lady Jane Capel—until her sister Lavinia bursts onto the scene. Vivacious, rebellious, and strikingly beautiful, Lavinia is determined to keep him away from her shy, sweet sister. And she’s also determined not to think so much about his broad chest and strong thighs. When Lady Lavinia and Thaddeus end up in the most compromising position, witnessed by Lavinia’s mother and nearly everyone at a party, they’re forced to get married to protect their reputations. With no love between them, but with an heir to conceive, they strike a bargain in bed. Only Lavinia demands passion, and Thaddeus complies, with both of them realizing this marriage of convenience may turn into much more...

Lover of Romance 

A Wicked Bargain for the Duke is a light and endearing story with plenty of laughs ready for you in waiting. This is an author I have enjoyed over the years, she has a quirky sense of writ, and it displays quite well on the page. I was eager to see what this author would deliver in this one, and I wasn't nervous that it was the third in the series (when I haven't read the first two) although now that I have read this one, I am wanting to pick up the first two books. 

In A Wicked Bargain for the Duke, we have a story that features a writer in hiding, Lavinia, who is overprotective of her younger sister. But when the Duke of Hasford, sets his sights on Jane who is in love with someone else. So in her endeavor to protect her sister, she ends up in a comprising position with Thaddeus and they will have to marry. Lavinia isn't the woman that Thaddeus wanted originally, and he has certain standards of what he wants for his family. Lavinia agrees to his certain "standards" but when sparks fly in and out of the bedroom, there is so much more than just this agreement. But with both hearts so prideful, who will fight for the other first and let go of preconceived notions on what marriage should be? 

I was deeply saddened to give this book such a rating, but I really needed to. I had the hardest time getting into this book and so the first half was a battle and as this is an author I do endeavor to support and I received this as an ARC, I wanted to see this one all the way through. I will say that I was happy when the second half turned out so much better than the first half. It could have been my mood, not really sure why I struggled so much. But I did enjoy this story and I always love a good marriage of convenience. There was some "modern feminism" thrown into this story, it didn't bother me too much as it wasn't too "soap box", it felt a bit more genuine in the way it was implemented into the story so bravo to this author for that. But it also had me rolling my eyes in some portions. I did love the redemption at the end and seeing a hero fight for the heroine. Just wanted more from the heroine, I was expecting much more than I received from her, I love a lady that will fight for her man just as fiercely as the man will. 

Overall while I had some issues, I found this story to be quite enjoyable and kept me entertained, it had a sense of smexy playfulness that I have always be endeared to with this author, looking forward to delving into the other books in the series.

danielle bush

I love our main character Lavinia.. She is strong, knows what she wants, and is really loyal to her sister Jane and her half brother Percy.. She will do anything to help her family including making sure Jane gets to marry the man she wants. However their mother has a different idea, and is pushing Jane towards Thaddeus who is a duke.. 
Jane only has eyes for one man, but she knows that if asked she wont be able to help herself and she will agree to whatever the Duke wants.. So she asks for Lavinias help.. 

Its Lavinias job to make sure Jane and Thaddeus are never alone long enough for him to propose.. When her plan goes wrong and she ends up having to marry him instead.. While they do have some chemistry, they really had no plans to marry each other and are just hoping to make the best of their current circumstances. However on the bright side now that Lavinia has married a Duke there is an even better chance that Jane will get to marry the man she wants.. as long as his family agrees. 
.
I loved how Lavinia isn't afraid to ask for what she wants, including what they do in the bedroom.. When she finds herself unsatisfied after their first couple encounters, she decides to make a list for what she wants.. This definitely works in her favor.. 

Throughout the story Lavinia and Thadd find themselves growing feelings for each other, but neither one willing to admit it to themselves.. When the time comes that they are both wanting to tell each other how they feel..... of course something gets in the way.. When they both get some great advise from their family they realize that they want to be with each other, so they both leave at once, and happen to meet each other on the road, in the pouring rain, and end up pouring their hearts out to each other.. 

This was a sweet romance that left me with all the feels, and I can't wait to read more of Megan Framptons books.

Alexis 

3/5 Stars 

** I received this as an E-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review, Thank you!** 

I liked this book, I'll admit it's not my favorite historical romance. But it was entertaining and easy to read. I found I didn't quite connect to the characters, so I felt a little disconnected from the story. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the sex scenes in there, it just wasn't my personal preference in the way it was written. Overall it was still a good, easy and quick read.

b.andherbooks

I'm so delighted with this historical. They had to marry because they were caught in a compromising position, and he thinks he is real good at sex but she just sat him down to tell him he is, in fact, not satisfying her. And bless him he growls and says challenge accepted.

Thaddeus, the Duke of Hasford, is my sort of love interest. He's super tall, he smells like pine, AND he pines so hard for the woman he told himself he'd never love, only get an heir from. Definitely a Captain Ri archetype like character, so starchy yet he'll put on lavender pants to please you.

Lavinia was also amazing, and I adored her straight forward and frank honesty with Thaddeus when he isn't pleasing her in bed. She wants to have fun while doing the heir making! And when she calls both Thaddeus and her dog Precious, I laughed so hard.

A comfy and delightful romance. Plus the parallel of both these hopeless fools running towards each other on horses named Kevin and Crusader, without knowing the other is on their way, at the end is 10/10 would recommend. 

Where were you going?
To you. I was going to you.

I was going to you too, he said.

Thank you to Avon for the ARC

A Wicked Bargain for the Duke A Hazards of Dukes Novel

Reviews